Extrahepatic manifestations of hepatitis C virus

Given the high prevalence of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, its clinical sequelae account for a significant proportion of patients presenting to gastroenterologists and hepatologists. Whereas the hepatic manifestations of hepatitis C are well described, including hepatitis, cirrhosis, an...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current gastroenterology reports 2006-02, Vol.8 (1), p.53-59
Main Authors: Sterling, Richard K, Bralow, S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cryoglobulinemia - etiology
Hepacivirus
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C, Chronic - complications
Hepatitis C, Chronic - diagnosis
Humans
Kidney Diseases - etiology
Lymphoma
Nervous System Diseases - etiology
Porphyria Cutanea Tarda
Rheumatic Diseases - etiology
Sjogren's Syndrome
Skin Diseases - etiology
Vasculitis
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Summary:Given the high prevalence of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, its clinical sequelae account for a significant proportion of patients presenting to gastroenterologists and hepatologists. Whereas the hepatic manifestations of hepatitis C are well described, including hepatitis, cirrhosis, and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma, the extrahepatic manifestations, though common, are less well appreciated. Although nonspecific, fatigue and arthralgias are very common in those with chronic hepatitis C. Extrahepatic syndromes have been reported in as much as 36% of HCV patients, but the exact prevalence is not known. Patients with these syndromes can be divided into those with a high degree of association and those with a more moderate or mild association with HCV. The most prevalent extrahepatic diseases with the highest degree of association with HCV are the essential mixed cryoglobulins with skin, neurologic, renal, and rheumatologic complications. Non-cryoglobulin diseases with a less definite relationship to HCV include systemic vasculitis, splenic lymphoma, porphyria cutanea tarda, and the sicca syndromes. This article highlights the pathophysiology and clinical manifestations of these disorders.
ISSN:1522-8037
1534-312X
DOI:10.1007/s11894-006-0064-y