| Literature DB >> 23436024 |
Dimitrios Vassilopoulos1, Leonard H Calabrese.
Abstract
Chronic infection with hepatitis B (HBV) or C (HCV) virus, which currently affect approximately 7 % of the world population, is encountered with the same frequency among patients with arthritis starting biological or non-biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Treatment with biological agents, including anti-tumor necrosis factor agents, rituximab, and abatacept, without appropriate antiviral therapy has been associated with reactivation of HBV infection which in some cases can lead to life-threatening complications, indicating the need for appropriate screening and treatment of these patients. In this review, the latest data regarding HBV or HCV-related arthritic complications and treatment of rheumatic diseases in the presence of chronic HBV or HCV infection will be critically presented.Entities:
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Year: 2013 PMID: 23436024 DOI: 10.1007/s11926-013-0319-1
Source DB: PubMed Journal: Curr Rheumatol Rep ISSN: 1523-3774 Impact factor: 4.686