Palazzi C, D’Amico E, D’Angelo S, Gilio M, Olivieri I. Rheumatic manifestations of hepatitis C virus chronic infection: Indications for a correct diagnosis.
World J Gastroenterol 2016;
22:1405-1410. [PMID:
26819509 PMCID:
PMC4721975 DOI:
10.3748/wjg.v22.i4.1405]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2015] [Revised: 11/17/2015] [Accepted: 12/14/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a hepato- and lymphotropic agent that is able to induce several autoimmune rheumatic disorders: vasculitis, sicca syndrome, arthralgias/arthritis and fibromyalgia. The severity of clinical manifestations is variable and sometimes life-threatening. HCV infection can mimic many primitive rheumatic diseases, therefore, it is mandatory to distinguish HCV-related manifestations from primitive ones because the prognosis and therapeutic strategies can be fairly dissimilar. The new direct-acting antivirals drugs can help to avoid the well-known risks of worsening or new onset of autoimmune diseases during the traditional interferon-based therapies.
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