HEPATITIS-C VIRUS-INFECTION IN PRIMARY SJOGRENS-SYNDROME - PREVALENCEAND CLINICAL-SIGNIFICANCE IN A SERIES OF 90 PATIENTS

Objectives - To determine the prevalence and clinical significance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in a large cohort of patients with ' primary' Sjogren's syndrome (SS). Methods - 90 consecutive patients (8 3 female and seven male) were included, with a mean age of 62 years (r ange 31-80) who prospectively visited our unit. All patients fulfilled the European Community criteria for SS and underwent a complete histo ry, physical examination, as well as biochemical and immunological eva luation for liver disease. Serum from all patients was tested for anti bodies to HCV by third generation enzyme linked immunoassay and positi vity was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction. Results - Antibodies to HCV were present in 13 (14%) patients with 'primary' SS. When compa red with patients without HCV infection, patients with HCV infection p resented a higher prevalence of hepatic involvement (100% v 8%, p < 0. 05). Transcutaneous Liver biopsy was performed in five patients with H CV infection, and specimens obtained showed in all cases a chronic act ive hepatitis with varying degrees of portal inflammation. Conclusion - HCV infection is frequent in patients with 'primary' involvement is present patients. The possible pathogenic role of HCV infection in the se patients is still unclear.