Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been associated with a great number of extra-hepatic manifestations (EHMs), including several endocrine disorders. Currently available epidemiological, clinical and experimental data do not show a link between HCV and all EHMs. Thyroid disorders (TD) and type 2 diabetes, for example, are the most frequent endocrine alterations in patients with chronic HCV infection, but there are only weak evidences that HCV could be involved in hypothalamic-pituitary axis perturbation, bone metabolism alteration and sexual dysfunctions induction. Thus, this issue needs further investigation. Prospective studies have also shown that interferon (IFN)-based therapy for chronic HCV infection can induce or worsen EHMs. In particular, IFN has been associated with development of autoimmunity and/or TD in up to 40% of chronic HCV infected patients. Hence, a careful monitoring of thyroid function should be performed in such patients. The recent approval of direct-acting antiviral agents in IFN-free regimens for chronic hepatitis C treatment will dramatically reduce not only liver-related mortality but also morbidity due to EHMs.
Endocrine manifestations of chronic HCV infection
CAVIGLIA, GIAN PAOLO;ROSSO, CHIARA;FAGOONEE, SHARMILA;CISARO', FABIO;ANDREALLI, Alida;SMEDILE, Antonina;PELLICANO, Rinaldo
2015-01-01
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been associated with a great number of extra-hepatic manifestations (EHMs), including several endocrine disorders. Currently available epidemiological, clinical and experimental data do not show a link between HCV and all EHMs. Thyroid disorders (TD) and type 2 diabetes, for example, are the most frequent endocrine alterations in patients with chronic HCV infection, but there are only weak evidences that HCV could be involved in hypothalamic-pituitary axis perturbation, bone metabolism alteration and sexual dysfunctions induction. Thus, this issue needs further investigation. Prospective studies have also shown that interferon (IFN)-based therapy for chronic HCV infection can induce or worsen EHMs. In particular, IFN has been associated with development of autoimmunity and/or TD in up to 40% of chronic HCV infected patients. Hence, a careful monitoring of thyroid function should be performed in such patients. The recent approval of direct-acting antiviral agents in IFN-free regimens for chronic hepatitis C treatment will dramatically reduce not only liver-related mortality but also morbidity due to EHMs.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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