Frequency of Dermatological Disorders Associated with Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Sharkia Governorate, Egypt

Abstract

Background and study aim: Egypt has the highest HCV prevalence in the world. Cutaneous lesions are found in some patients of HCV infection. This study was conducted to determine frequency and types of dermatological disorders present in chronic HCV infection in Sharkia governorate, Egypt. Patients and Methods: 157 Patients of chronic hepatitis C divided into 2 groups; group 1: Includes 117 patients with chronic HCV infection who didn’t receive antiviral treatment group 2: Includes 40 patients with chronic HCV infection who received antiviral treatment (peg- interferon and ribavirin). Detailed history taking, clinical and dermatological examination was carried out. Biochemical profile including complete blood count, platelet count, and cryoglobulins were done. Results: The percentage of dermatological manifestations increase with the severity of liver cirrhosis. Pruritus was the predominant dermatological manifestation in untreated and treated patients (37.9%) and (52.9%) respectively. There was significant statistical difference between positive and negative cryoglobulineamic patients in the untreated group regarding different dermatological manifestations with high percentage of pruritus, vasculitis and purpura in patients with cryoglobulin positivity (p= 0.04). Conclusion: Skin manifestations are present in 61% of chronic HCV patients and less frequent in treated group. The frequency of skin manifestations increases with the advancement of liver disease. Pruritis is the most frequent manifestation in all patients.