title: Hepatitis C-associated rheumatic disorders.
abstract: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an important causative agent of liver diseases. However, HCV infection is also associated with numerous hematologic, renal, dermatologic, rheumatic, and autoimmune disorders. These include arthralgia, arthritis, vasculitis, sicca syndrome, myalgia, and fibromyalgia. The purpose of this article is to review the prevalence and spectrum of rheumatic disorders and autoimmune phenomena in HCV-infected patients. It evaluates and current treatment options including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, low-dose corticosteroids, hydroxychloroquine, methotrexate, penicillamine, combined antiviral therapy, cyclosporin A, anti-TNF-a agents, and rituximab. It concludes that larger, controlled studies are needed to establish further the treatment indications, efficacy, and safety of these agents.
authors.affiliation: Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine H, Soroka Medical Center, Ben Gurion University, Beer Sheva, P.O.B 151, 84101 Israel. dbuskila@bgu.ac.il
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Buskila
mesh_terms: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000276:immunology*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents