title: Viral hepatitis: review of arthritic complications and therapy for arthritis in the presence of active HBV/HCV.
abstract: Chronic infection with hepatitis B (HBV) or C (HCV) virus, which currently affect approximately 7 % of the world population, is encountered with the same frequency among patients with arthritis starting biological or non-biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Treatment with biological agents, including anti-tumor necrosis factor agents, rituximab, and abatacept, without appropriate antiviral therapy has been associated with reactivation of HBV infection which in some cases can lead to life-threatening complications, indicating the need for appropriate screening and treatment of these patients. In this review, the latest data regarding HBV or HCV-related arthritic complications and treatment of rheumatic diseases in the presence of chronic HBV or HCV infection will be critically presented.
authors: 2nd Department of Medicine, Hippokration General Hospital, Athens University School of Medicine, 114 Vass. Sophias Ave, 115 27, Athens, Greece. dvassilop@med.uoa.gr
authors: Dimitrios
authors: D
authors: Vassilopoulos
authors: Leonard H
authors: LH
authors: Calabrese
mesh_terms: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014775:Virus Activation
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha