Values of high-resolution computed tomography and pulmonary function tests in managements of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

Abstract

To investigate pulmonary involvement via pulmonary function tests (PFT) and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Thirty-four patients with chronic HCV infection without diagnosis of any pulmonary diseases and 10 healthy cases were enrolled in the study. PFT and HRCT were performed in all cases. A decrease lower than 80% of the predicted value was detected in vital capacity in 9/34 patients, in forced expiratory volume in one second in 8/34 patients, and in forced expiratory flow 25-75 in 15/34 patients, respectively. Carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLCO) was decreased in 26/34 patients. Findings of interstitial pulmonary involvement were detected in the HRCT of 16/34 patients. Significant difference was found between controls and patients with HCV infection in findings of HRCT (chi2=4.7, P=0.003). Knodell histological activity index (KHAI) of 28/34 patients in whom liver biopsy was applied was 9.0+/-4.7. HRCT findings, PFT values and DLCO were not affected by KHAI in patients with HCV infection. In these patients, all the parameters were related with age. We suggest that chronic hepatitis C virus infection may cause pulmonary interstitial involvement without evident respiratory symptoms.