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Rheumatic Disease Clinics of North America
Volume 35, Issue 1, February 2009, Pages 111-123
Infections and Rheumatic Diseases

Hepatitis C–Associated Rheumatic Disorders

Dan Buskila MDa,
aDivision of Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine H, Soroka Medical Center,
Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University, Beer Sheva, P.O.B 151, Israel
84101

Available online 27 May 2009.

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.


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