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Cryoglobulinemia in elderly patients with HCV-related chronic hepatitis

Francesco Giuseppe Foschi1, Anna Chiara Dall'aglio, Arianna Lanzi

  • 1Francesco Giuseppe Foschi, Anna Chiara Dall'Aglio, Arianna Lanzi, Giorgio Marano, Sara Savini, Giuseppe Francesco Stefanini, Department of Internal Medicine, Faenza Hospital,Viale Stradone 9, 48018 Faenza (RA), Italy.

World Journal of Gastrointestinal Pharmacology and Therapeutics
|May 18, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Antiviral therapy for Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection effectively treated a 77-year-old woman's chronic liver disease and related skin symptoms. Treatment improved quality of life, suggesting its use even in older patients.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Immunology
  • Virology

Background:

  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection impacts 3% globally, often causing chronic liver disease and lymphoproliferative disorders like mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC).
  • Optimal management for elderly patients with HCV and MC remains debated, particularly regarding treatment strategies for symptom relief and quality of life.
  • Cutaneous manifestations, such as urticaria and pruritus, can significantly affect patient well-being and are associated with MC in HCV patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present a case study of an elderly patient with HCV-related chronic hepatitis and MC-associated cutaneous symptoms.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of interferon and ribavirin therapy in managing symptoms and achieving virological response in an older patient.
  • To discuss the implications of this case for current treatment guidelines regarding antiviral therapy in elderly HCV patients with symptomatic MC.

Main Methods:

  • A case report detailing the treatment of a 77-year-old Caucasian woman with HCV-related chronic hepatitis and antihistamine-resistant MC-induced cutaneous symptoms.
  • Administration of interferon and ribavirin therapy.
  • Monitoring of biochemical and virological response, cryoglobulinemia status, and resolution of cutaneous symptoms.

Main Results:

  • The patient achieved early biochemical and virological response to interferon and ribavirin.
  • Cryoglobulinemia and associated cutaneous symptoms (urticaria, pruritus) resolved during treatment.
  • HCV replication relapsed post-treatment, but cryoglobulinemia and cutaneous symptoms did not recur.

Conclusions:

  • Antiviral therapy can effectively manage symptomatic mixed cryoglobulinemia and improve quality of life in elderly Hepatitis C virus patients.
  • Even with potential viral relapse, treatment benefits in symptom resolution suggest considering antiviral therapy beyond current age-based exclusion criteria.
  • This case highlights the importance of individualized treatment approaches for Hepatitis C virus in older adults, prioritizing symptom management and quality of life.

Keywords:
Antiviral treatmentCryoglobulinemiaElderly patientsHepatitis C virus chronic hepatitis

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