Hepatitis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Hepatitis, including details on hepatitis a, b, c, causes, symptoms. | ||||||||
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Pulmonary alterations in patients with chronic HCV infection.Erturk A, Tokgonul AN, Capan N, Erturk H, Dursun AB, Bozkaya H Department 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. Published 4 September 2006 in Dig Liver Dis, 38(9): 673-6.
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