A rheumatic syndrome with Laennec's cirrhosis

Hepatitis C and arthritis: an update

Extrahepatic symptoms during chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are common and varied. Arthritis can be seen either as part of autoimmune processes (eg, associated with cryoglobulinemia) or independently. Whether the manifestation is specifically attributable to HCV infection or rather to the nonspecific result of a chronic inflammatory process is not clear. The literature available at this time is insufficient to guide the most appropriate course of treatment of HCV arthritis. Standard antirheumatic treatment can be considered, but with caution, because some of these medications occasionally may be hepatotoxic and response to therapy seems variable. Treatment decisions should be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Management of hepatitis C virus-related arthritis

In recent years, hepatitis C virus-related arthritis (HCVrA) has been recognised as an autonomous rheumatic disorder. Two subsets of the disease have been identified: a polyarthritis involving small joints that resembles rheumatoid arthritis, but is usually milder, and a mono-oligoarthritis that shows an intermittent course and is frequently associated with the presence of cryo-globulins in serum. Few data about HCVrA treatment are reported in the literature. As a consequence, the therapeutic approach for this disorder is still largely empirical. Hydroxychloroquine, low doses of corticosteroids and NSAIDs are frequently administered to patients with HCVrA, but some authors describe an incomplete relief of symptoms, especially in the rheumatoid-like subset. Intake of low doses of corticosteroids and NSAIDs is more effective in subjects belonging to the mono-oligoarthritis group. Use of antiviral drugs (IFN plus ribavirin) shows good results, but IFN can induce or worsen autoimmune disorders. For this reason, in our opinion, this approach should be prescribed only when required by the coexistent liver disease. On the basis of the poor available data, the administration of anti-TNF-alpha agents seems safe in HCV patients, but the usually non-aggressive course of HCVrA does not justify their use as a current therapy.

Hepatitis C virus and arthritis

Arthritis is one of the several autoimmune disorders induced by HCV infection. There is not a specific clinical pattern of HCV-related arthritis, but two nonerosive subsets have more frequently been described: a RA-like polyarthritis and a less common mono-oligoarthritis involving medium-sized and large joints, often showing an intermittent course. This latter form is associated with the presence of serum cryoglobulins. Because of its variable characteristics, HCV-related arthritis must be considered in the differential diagnosis of many patients having inflammatory joint involvement. Antikeratin antibodies and possibly IgA RF can be useful in distinguishing between RA and HCV-related RA-like polyarthritis. In fact, these tests are highly specific in RA patients. In any case, the search for HCV antibodies should be more widely performed in the diagnostic approach to rheumatic diseases. An association between PsA and HCV infection has been described in the literature, but the authors were unable to confirm these data. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, hydroxychloroquine, and low doses of corticosteroids are the cornerstones of the treatment of HCV-related arthritis. An etiologic therapy with alpha-interferon and ribavirin is useful when required by hepatic or systemic involvement; such therapy could also be considered in selected cases of isolated arthritis that are unresponsive to other drugs. Few case reports described the onset of polyarthritis after the administration of alpha-interferon for HCV-related chronic hepatitis. This topic should be more accurately studied in the future to exclude a spurious association between the two events.

The quality of life after orthotopic liver transplantation: an analysis of 166 cases

We surveyed by questionnaire 346 patients who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation to determine their postoperative status. One hundred sixty-six patients returned the questionnaires, which were administered at least 12 months after the transplants. Universally, the patients could perform necessary activities of daily living, but 36.7% noted some extremity weakness, 18.1% noted pain in an extremity, and 40.4% noted "arthritis." Of the respondents, 41.3% rode a bike often, 28.4% swam, and endurance improved from 43.9% severely affected to 8.0% severely affected. Posttransplant employment was related to marital status (3.18 times more likely to be employed if married); duration of liver disease with patients having the disease more than 2 years 3.22 times more likely to be employed. Patients without pain, weakness, or arthritis were 7.8 times more likely employed. The exact nature of the musculoskeletal complaints remains to be defined.