Author/Authors :
Ehsani-Ardakani، Mohammad-Javad نويسنده , , Rajaei، Alireza نويسنده , , Mohaghegh Shalmani، Hamid نويسنده , , Shahid، Negin نويسنده , , Emam، Mohammad Mehdi نويسنده , , Mohammadzadeh، Nahid نويسنده Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Disease, Shahid Beheshti University, M.C., Tehran, Iran Mohammadzadeh, Nahid , Mirhassani Moghaddam، Seyed Javad نويسنده Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Disease, Shahid Beheshti University, M.C., Tehran, Iran Mirhassani Moghaddam, Seyed Javad , Zali، Mohammadreza نويسنده ,
Abstract :
Background:
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been explained as a disease that sometimes present with rheumatic
manifestations indistinguishable from rheumatoid arthritis. This study has been performed to evaluate the frequency of
hepatitis C virus infection in a group of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Patients and methods:
In this study, during one year, serum samples collected from two hundred consecutive patients
with rheumatoid arthritis in all affiliated hospitals of Shaheed Beheshti University, M.C., were examined for anti-HCV
antibody and HCV-RNA by ELISA and RT-PCR method, respectively. Using a questionnaire, the frequency of HCV
infection, age and sex distribution, duration of rheumatoid arthritis, associated immune mediated disorders and risk
factors for hepatitis C virus infection were assessed.
Results:
A total of 200 patients (M/F=26/174) who were mainly aged 51-70 years were studied. The frequency of HCV
was found to be 2% (95%CI: 0.6-7%). All of the infected persons have had a low risk occupation in terms of exposure to
the virus and none of them had HCV risk factors. No associated immune mediated disorder was found in HCV infected
patients.
Conclusion:
Our results did not support any contribution of HCV infection in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis.
