Musculoskeletal Manifestations and Bone Mineral Density in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients

Background: many extrahepatic manifestations including auto-immune, rheumatic disease and metabolic bone impairment have been stated in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected patients. Direct antiviral agents (DAAs) are major developments in the treatment of HCV infection and were reported to have effect on the musculoskeletal manifestations.Objectives: to evaluate the effect of chronic hepatitis C and direct antiviral agents (DAAs) on musculoskeletal system, bone mineral density (BMD).Methods: the current study involved sixty patients with chronic hepatitis c, thirty patients with no history of anti-viral agent’s treatment (group I) and the other patients achieved response on DAAs within the last one year (group II). All patients were subjected to history taking, physical examination, investigations including (calcium, Phosphorus, Parathormone hormone, alkaline phosphatase and vitamin D) and DEXA scan for BMD measurement. Results: In this study, group I showed significantly lower Bone mineral density compared to group II. The frequency of musculoskeletal manifestations caused by HCV in group I is higher than group II including; arthralgia (70%), sicca symptoms (50%), fatigue (40%), fibromyalgia (20%), arthritis and cryoglobinemic vasculitis (10%). Conclusion: Musculoskeletal manifestations including decreased BMD are frequent in CHC patients and treatment with DAAs proved a beneficial impact.