title: Manifestations of chronic hepatitis C virus infection beyond the liver.
abstract: In addition to its effects in the liver, chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can have serious consequences for other organ systems. Extrahepatic manifestations include mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC) vasculitis, lymphoproliferative disorders, renal disease, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, sicca syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis-like polyarthritis, and autoantibody production; reductions in quality of life involve fatigue, depression, and cognitive impairment. MC vasculitis, certain types of lymphoma, insulin resistance, and cognitive function appear to respond to anti-HCV therapy. However, treatments for HCV and other biopsychosocial factors can reduce quality of life and complicate management. HCV treatment has a high overall cost that increases when extrahepatic manifestations are considered. HCV appears to have a role in the pathogenesis of MC vasculitis, certain types of lymphoma, and insulin resistance. Clinicians who treat patients with HCV infections should be aware of potential extrahepatic manifestations and how these can impact and alter management of their patients.
authors.affiliation: Center for the Study of Hepatitis C, Joan and Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York 10021, USA. imj2001@med.cornell.edu
authors.forename: Ira M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Jacobson
authors.forename: Patrice
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cacoub
authors.forename: Luigino
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dal Maso
authors.forename: Stephen A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.forename: Zobair M
authors.initials: ZM
authors.lastname: Younossi
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003449:Cryoglobulinemia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents