The article presents a theoretical analysis of scientific literature on the co-morbidity of
depression and chronic hepatopathy. It highlights the problem of growing prevalence of liver
pathology in both Republic of Moldova and worldwide. A systematization attempt of published
psychometric and clinical methods for diagnosing depressive disorders in patients with chronic
hepatopathy has been carried out as well as an elaboration of a possible way of classification
of the methods examined. An algorithm has been created for applying a certain technique,
depending on goals and possibilities of study of depression in patients with chronic hepatopathy.
The article stresses the need for a systematic methodologically justified approach to the diagnosis
of depressive disorders of the patients.
