Hepatitis C Virus Related Rheumatic Manifestations in a Cohort of Egyptian Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C before and after Direct-Acting Antiviral Therapy

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) is a well-known cause of many rheumatic diseases, most notably HCV-related cryoglobulinemic vasculitis, fibromyalgia, arthralgia and Sicca Syndrome. Interferon-free regimens that combine novel direct-acting antivirals Direct acting antivirals are highly effective for the treatment of chronic Hepatitis C virus infection. Aim of the Work: The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical and serological course of HCV related rheumatic manifestations in a cohort of Egyptian patients with chronic hepatitis C before and after treatment with new direct-acting antivirals. Patients and Methods: This study was carried out on 60 Egyptian patients with chronic hepatitis C suffering clinically from one or more of the HCV- related rheumatic manifestations and eligible for treatment with sofosbuvir (400 mg daily) plus daclatasvir (60 mg daily) as a direct-acting antivirals for 3 months. All patients signed a written informed consent prior to enrollment into this study. This study was approved by the Ethical Committee of Ain Shams University College of medicine.