To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: Research Shows No Link Between Mononucleosis And Depression URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/DA4EE.htm Doctor's Guide January 8, 1999
SEATTLE, WA -- Jan. 8, 1999 -- Anecdotal reports that viral infections such as mononucleosis lead to depression and other psychiatric disorders have been rebutted by a study that followed 144 HMO patients. After following the patients for six months from the onset of acute infectious mononucleosis, Wayne Katon, MD, and his University of Washington colleagues report in this month's issue of General Hospital Psychiatry, the researchers found that transient psychological distress and impairment were common among the mostly student population (64 percent) during the acute phase of illness, but few met the diagnostic criteria for psychiatric illness. "This study suggests that postviral depression is rare and that at six months after mononucleosis people who are still depressed probably are depressed due to new stressful life events rather than viral effects," Katon said. At the onset of the infection, 4.9 percent of the patients met psychiatric criteria for current major depression, 1.4 percent for panic disorder and none for generalised anxiety disorder. These rates are similar to those found in the general population, according to the researchers. Initial psychiatric illness or distress did not predict distress two or six months later, the researchers found. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 1999 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of P\S\L content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of P\S\L. P\S\L shall not be liable for any errors, omissions or delays in this content or any other content on its sites, newsletters or other publications, nor for any decisions or actions taken in reliance on such content. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This news story was printed from *Doctor's Guide to the Internet* located at http://www.docguide.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to News Story Page This site is maintained by webmaster@pslgroup.com Please contact us with any comments, problems or bugs. All contents Copyright (c) 1998 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved.