Abstract | OBJECTIVE: METHODS: RESULTS: Prevalence of rheumatoid factor, cryoglobulins, and cryoglobulinemic syndrome in chronic hepatitis patients were 2%, 0.8%, and 0%, respectively. In cirrhosis patients the prevalence was 4%, 8%, and 0%, respectively. No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups. During the follow-up only one patient for each group abruptly developed cryoglobulinemic syndrome, and none of the patients who showed signs of cryoglobulinemia developed the syndrome or showed signs of evolution of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate that the presence of cryoglobulins and/or cryoglobulinemic syndrome in HCV-related liver disease is unusual, as is the occurrence of cryoglobulinemia over time in these patients. This leads us to think that HCV-related cryoglobulinemic syndrome and HCV-related liver disease are independent diseases. This supports new and indirect evidence for an independent and direct role of HCV in liver and blood disorders.
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Authors | Marcello Persico, Fedele Antonio De Marino, Giovanni Di Giacomo Russo, Eliana Persico, Aristide Morante, Bruno Palmentieri, Roberto Torella |
Journal | The American journal of gastroenterology
(Am J Gastroenterol)
Vol. 98
Issue 4
Pg. 884-8
(Apr 2003)
ISSN: 0002-9270 [Print] United States |
PMID | 12738472
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Cryoglobulinemia
(blood, epidemiology, etiology)
- Cryoglobulins
(analysis)
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Hepacivirus
(pathogenicity)
- Hepatitis C, Chronic
(blood, complications, epidemiology)
- Humans
- Incidence
- Liver Cirrhosis
(blood, epidemiology, etiology)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Outcome Assessment, Health Care
- Prevalence
- Prospective Studies
- Risk Factors
- Syndrome
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