Interferon-alpha induced transient thyroid dysfunction in hepatitis C.
We report the case of thyroid dysfunction that developed in a 36-year-old female patient who required combination therapy with interferon and ribavirine for chronic hepatitis C. Firstly, she suffered a hyperthyroidism followed by a hypothyroidism stage requiring thyroxine replacement therapy. Nevertheless, combination treatment was not discontinued, reaching a sustained biochemical and virological response. The pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases in patients with Hepatitis C virus infection and interferon therapy is not clear, but usually these disorders are reversible and only require supervision and treatment if clinical or laboratory abnormalities are present.
Gastroenterology Unit, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain. sfernandezd@medynet.com
S
S
Fernández-Díez
J L
JL
Rodríguez-Agulló
M J
MJ
Cascudo Rielo
N
N
Navarro Angulo
M
M
Díaz-Rubio
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins