Pulmonary alterations in patients with chronic HCV infection
A Erturk1, A N Tokgonul, N Capan
1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Ataturk Chest Disease and Thoracic Surgery Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. arzuerturk@yahoo.com
Background:
Chronic hepatitis C virus infection has been reported in association with several extrahepatic manifestations. Included in this list is interstitial lung involvement.
Aims:
The aim of the present study was to evaluate pulmonary alterations in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.
Patients:
Twenty-one patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection were enrolled into a prospective study. One patient has been excluded because of underlying tuberculosis.
Methods:
All patients underwent pulmonary function tests, diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide and high-resolution computed tomography of the chest.
Results:
Forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in first second/forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in first second values were reduced to less than 80% of predicted values in 3, 11 and 5 patients, respectively. Diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide was low in 12 patients (60%), 8 of whom had simultaneous decrease in diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide/VA values. Thorax high-resolution computed tomography revealed abnormal findings in eight patients (40%). Fifteen patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection (75%) had at least one pulmonary alteration as evidenced by abnormal pulmonary function tests, diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide and/or high-resolution computed tomography results.
Conclusion:
In spite of a limited study population, these findings may implicate that pulmonary manifestations of chronic hepatitis C virus infection are frequently underdiagnosed.
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