Rheumatologic manifestations of hepatitis C in the era of direct-acting antiviral agents

Minerva Gastroenterol Dietol. 2020 Sep;66(3):280-289. doi: 10.23736/S1121-421X.20.02680-X. Epub 2020 Mar 24.

Abstract

Beyond the classic hepatic complications, hepatitis C (HCV) infection is considered as a systemic disease, since extrahepatic manifestations become clinically evident in 40% to 70% of the patients and it can frequently include rheumatic ones. Furthermore, HCV can promote the production of several autoantibodies, thus complicating the differential diagnosis between primitive and HCV-related rheumatic disorders. The recent development of direct-acting antivirals (DAA) against HCV has revolutionized the field, reducing the damage stemming from systemic inflammatory phenomena and persistent immune activation associated with continuous HCV replication. Our review focuses on the main rheumatologic manifestations associated with chronic HCV infection as well as the impact of DAA interferon-free treatments on such extrahepatic clinical involvement.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cryoglobulinemia / etiology
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / complications*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Joint Diseases / etiology
  • Rheumatic Diseases / etiology*
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / etiology
  • Vasculitis / etiology

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents