title: Hepatitis C virus and the skin.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  It is well recognized that chronic hepatitis C infection causes liver disease ranging from mild chronic hepatitis to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatitis C virus is also associated with extrahepatic manifestations that may be the first clinical presentation of infection. Cutaneous disease can constitute a significant part of the wide spectrum of extrahepatic abnormalities associated with Hepatitis C infection. The aim of the present study was to estimate the extra burden of dermatological manifestations as a result of Hepatitis C virus infection in Kuwait.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 75 positive antibody patients to hepatitis C virus were enrolled in the study and compared to an age and gender-matched control group which comprised 75 healthy individuals with negative antibody to hepatitis C virus results.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Generalized pruritus was significantly increased (22.67%) in chronic Hepatitis C infected patients compared to controls (5.33%), (p<0.01). No statistical differences were found in other skin findings for HCV positive and negative patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cutaneous manifestations may be the first clinical sign of chronic Hepatitis C infection. Screening for Hepatitis C infection in certain dermatologicalal conditions may help in early detection of Hepatitis C infection which may help prevent further transmission of Hepatitis C virus.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Jabriya, Kuwait. alalimd@hsc.edu.kw
authors.forename: Jaber
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Al-Ali
authors.forename: Nawaf
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Al-Mutari
authors.forename: El-Shahat Farag
authors.initials: el-SF
authors.lastname: Ahmed
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008010:Lichen Planus / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017119:Porphyria Cutanea Tarda / Q000209:etiology; D011537:Pruritus / Q000209:etiology; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D014581:Urticaria / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral