title: Hepatitis C and arthritis: an update.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Combined Fellowship Training Program of Tulane University and Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Children's Hospital, 1430 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
authors.forename: Aja M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Sanzone
authors.forename: Rodolfo E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Bégué
mesh_terms: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001168:Arthritis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents