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Chronic hepatitis C therapy: a rare complication revisited
Mohammed Eyad Yaseen Alsabbagh1, Naseem Eisa, Abdul Hamid Alraiyes
1Department of Medicine, University Hospital, Case Western Reserve, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
BMJ Case Reports
|July 30, 2013
Summary
Triple hepatitis C therapy with peg-interferon, ribavirin, and protease inhibitors can cause insulin-dependent diabetes. This rare side effect complicated a patient's hepatitis C treatment course.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a significant global health concern.
- Combined antiviral therapy, including peg-interferon alfa-2a (peg-IFN-α2a), ribavirin, and protease inhibitors (boceprevir or telaprevir), offers high efficacy for HCV treatment.
- This regimen, however, is associated with potential adverse events that require careful monitoring.
Observation:
- A 50-year-old male patient initiated triple therapy for hepatitis C.
- The patient developed insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus shortly after commencing treatment.
- This adverse event necessitated the discontinuation of the hepatitis C therapy.
Findings:
- The development of insulin-dependent diabetes is a rare but serious side effect of triple hepatitis C therapy.
- The onset of diabetes complicated the management of the patient's underlying HCV infection.
- This case highlights a significant drug-induced endocrine complication.
Implications:
- Clinicians should be vigilant for endocrine disturbances, particularly new-onset diabetes, in patients undergoing triple hepatitis C therapy.
- Early recognition and management of such side effects are crucial for patient outcomes.
- Further research may be warranted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying this rare complication and inform treatment guidelines.
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