Hepatitis c infection and peripheral neuropathy

An association between Hepatitis C Virus infection (IICV) and Peripheral Neuropathy (PN) has recently been reported This association has been explained by the presence of essential mixed cryoglobulinaemia. However most studies were retrospective and performed on patients with long-standing hepatic injection Further, the frequency and risk factors for peripheral neuropathy in HCV patients are not well defined. We performed a prospecive study on the frequency of PN in a consecutive series of HCV patients Method. One hundred and forty-two consecutive patients with HCV diagnosed according to serological studies by detection of anti-HCV antibodies and viral RNA in serum, were recruited from a Hepatology Department between June 1996-March 1997. The patients (91 M, 51F, average of 49.4+14 years, range 22-78 years) showed a mean period of infection of 37.8 months (1-80 months). All patients underwent neurological examination. On this basis, they were divided into four groups as concerns possible PN: pts. with only symptoms (group I), pts. with only signs (group 2), pts. with both symptoms and signs (group 3) and pts. without symptoms and signs (group 4). All patients with signs and/or symptoms were invited to come forward for electrophysiological examination.Results. We found 23 pts. (16.2%) in group 1, 2 pts. (1.4%) in group 2; 19 pts. (14.1%) in group 3 and 97 pts. (68.3%) in group 4 Cryoglobulinaemia was present in 42 pts. (29.7%): 12 pts. of group I, 2 pts. of group 2, 7 pts. of group 3 and 20 pts. of group 4 KMG and ENG study is in progress. Comment Our results show that PN symptoms in HCV infection are rather common finding. Results, neurophysiological investigations and factors related to PN will be presented.