Hepatitis C and alcohol

Background: Alcohol abuse and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection frequently coexist in patients with chronic liver disease. It is widely believed that alcohol and HCV act synergistically in these patients to promote the develo pment and progression of liver damage. Methods: A review of the relevant medical literature, identified by compute r assisted literature search, was conducted. Results: It has been established that alcohol consumption is associated wit h the accelerated progression of liver injury, higher frequency of cirrhosi s, and higher incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma. Alcohol abuse is also associated with decreased response to interferon treatment, and there are r eports to suggest that patients with HCV cirrhosis, who abuse alcohol, have higher mortality than those who do not. Abstinence may reverse some of the se deleterious effects of alcohol, and may even improve the ultimate respon se to treatment. The mechanism for the synergistic effect of alcohol and HC V is not fully understood, but has been attributed to alcohol's effect on v iral replication, or to its effect on the immune system, hepatic iron conte nt, or hepatic regeneration. Conclusions: Alcohol has a deleterious effect on HCV associated liver disea se. It is recommended that patients with HCV infection abstain from alcohol consumption.