Characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis patients with concomitant hepatitis C virus infection

Abstract Introduction Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is frequently associated with rheumatic autoimmune manifestations including rheumatoid-like arthritis. Aim of the work This work is aimed to study the impact of concomitant HCV infection on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Patients and methods 110 RA patients (mean age 44.6 ± 12.7, disease duration 7.92 ± 6.56 years) were included. HCV infection was diagnosed by HCV-antibody (HCV-Ab) and polymerase chain reaction. Disease activity was assessed using the disease activity score 28 (DAS28) and radiological damage by a modified Larsen method. Functional disability was assessed by the Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (MHAQ). Results HCV-Ab was detected in 20% and viremia in 12.7% of RA patients. HCV-Ab positive patients were significantly older ( p p  = 0.02). No differences were found between HCV-Ab positive and -negative patients in DAS28 and modified Larsen’s scores, however, HCV-Ab positive patients had a higher frequency of deformities ( p p p  = 0.002), independent of age and disease duration. They also had a higher frequency of hepatomegaly ( p p p  = 0.004) and longer disease duration ( p  = 0.003) while vasculitis was associated with older age ( p  = 0.02). Conclusion Concomitant HCV infection in RA patients is associated with significant disability and comorbidities in the form of hepatomegaly and vasculitis. Hepatomegaly and vasculitis were associated with older age. Hepatomegaly was also associated with longer disease duration. Screening for HCV infection is recommended in Egyptian RA patients.