title: Dermatologic disorders associated with chronic hepatitis C: effect of interferon therapy.
abstract: Chronic hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) is associated with extrahepatic manifestations, including such dermatologic conditions as mixed cryoglobulinemia, porphyria cutanea tarda, and lichen planus. Patients with chronic HCV and extrahepatic manifestations are often excluded from clinical trials evaluating interferon (IFN) therapy due to concerns about poor response, adverse events, and toxicity. Thus, data regarding the efficacy of IFN not only on the underlying chronic HCV, but also on extrahepatic manifestations, are limited in these patients. Case reports suggest that the response of dermatologic extrahepatic manifestations to IFN in patients with chronic HCV is highly variable. This review summarizes available data on dermatologic conditions associated with chronic HCV and their response to IFN therapy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Dermatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Berk
authors.forename: Susan Bayliss
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Mallory
authors.forename: Emmet B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Keeffe
authors.forename: Aijaz
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ahmed
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003449:Cryoglobulinemia / Q000209:etiology; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008010:Lichen Planus / Q000209:etiology; D017119:Porphyria Cutanea Tarda / Q000209:etiology; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007372:Interferons