Rheumatic manifestations of hepatitis.
OBJECTIVE
Rheumatic manifestations are commonly encountered in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or C (HCV) infection. In this review the most common clinical rheumatic manifestations of HBV or HCV infection and their management will be critically presented with a special emphasis on the efficacy and safety of the new biologic agents.


RESULTS
Recent significant advances in the antiviral therapy of chronic hepatitis B and C as well as the emergence of new biologic therapies (anti-TNF agents, rituximab) for the treatment of rheumatic diseases have changed significantly the therapeutic approach for patients with rheumatic disorders in the setting of hepatitis B or C. For patients with hepatitis B, prophylactic antiviral therapy with oral antiviral agents (nucleoside or nucleotide analogues) is recommended for all cases in which immunosuppressive therapies are administered, whereas for severe hepatitis C-associated mixed cryoglobulinemia, a number of recent studies have shown the short-term safety and efficacy of rituximab.


CONCLUSIONS
Rheumatologists in collaboration with hepatologists have today an array of efficacious therapeutic options to explore for patients presenting with rheumatic disorders in the setting of a co-existent HBV or HCV infection. Appropriate pretreatment screening and close monitoring are essential for these difficult-to-treat patients.
2nd Department of Medicine, Athens University School of Medicine, Hippokration General Hospital, Athens, Greece. dvassilop@med.uoa.gr
Dimitrios
D
Vassilopoulos
Spilios
S
Manolakopoulos
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003449:Cryoglobulinemia / Q000188:drug therapy; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010348:Patient Care Team; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology*; D000069283:Rituximab
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D000069283:Rituximab