Prolonged treatment with interferon alpha and peginterferon induces rheumatoid arthritis syndrome and erythema nodosum.

Abstract

The antiviral treatment of chronic C hepatitis has improved significantly over the past decade with the introduction of interferons (IFNs), and more recently, pegylated IFNs. Up to two-thirds of all patients treated with pegylated IFN combined with ribavirin can now achieve viral eradication if treated according to current guidelines. Despite this success rate, hematological, immunological, rheumatological and dermatological side effects have been reported in chronic hepatitis C patients treated with IFN-alpha. The subjects of this report are two young females with chronic hepatitis C, who developed rheumatoid syndrome and/or erythema nodosum during antiviral treatment with IFN-alpha or pegylated IFN combined with ribavirin.

• Authors: Camelia Ionescu, Laurenţiu Micu, Ileana Constantinescu, Monica Hortopan, Cornel Ursaciuc, Mihai Voiculescu
• Journal: Journal of gastrointestinal and liver diseases : JGLD (J Gastrointestin Liver Dis) Vol. 17 Issue 2 Pg. 211-2 (Jun 2008) ISSN: 1841-8724 [Print] Romania
• PMID: 18568145 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antiviral Agents
• Drug Carriers
• Interferon alpha-2
• Interferon-alpha
• Recombinant Proteins
• Polyethylene Glycols
• peginterferon alfa-2a

Topics

• Adult
• Antiviral Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Arthritis, Rheumatoid (chemically induced, diagnosis)
• Biopsy
• Drug Carriers
• Erythema Nodosum (chemically induced)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Hepatitis C, Chronic (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Interferon alpha-2
• Interferon-alpha (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Middle Aged
• Polyethylene Glycols (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Recombinant Proteins
• Risk Factors
• Skin (pathology)
• Time Factors