Addressing Tri‐Morbidity (Hepatitis C, Psychiatric Disorders, and Substance Use): The Importance of Routine Mental Health Screening as a Component of a Comanagement Model of Care

Psychiatric and substance use disorders are highly prevalent among veterans with chronic hepatitis C. Thirty-five percent have significant symptoms of depression before the initiation of treatment with interferon (IFN). Routine screening for underlying psychiatric and substance use disorders and early treatment intervention before initiating antiviral therapy is essential to prevent worsening of depression and to optimize the outcome of treatment with IFN. Comanagement treatment models involving mental health care may expand the pool of patients eligible to receive treatment with IFN, as well as enhance treatment outcomes.