Viral Hepatitis
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2004. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Feb 1, 2004; 10(3): 381-384
Published online Feb 1, 2004. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v10.i3.381
Evaluation of high-resolution computed tomography and pulmonary function tests in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection
Oguzhan Okutan, Zafer Kartaloglu, Ahmet Ilvan, Ali Kutlu, Erkan Bozkanat, Emir Silit
Oguzhan Okutan, Zafer Kartaloglu, Ahmet Ilvan, Erkan Bozkanat, GATA Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Istanbul, Turkey
Ali Kutlu, Gumussuyu Military Hospital, Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Istanbul, Turkey
Emir Silit, GATA Haydarpasa Training Hospital, Department of Radiology, Istanbul, Turkey
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Dr. Oguzhan Okutan, GATA Camlica Gogus Hastaliklari Hastanesi 81020 Acibadem, Istanbul, Turkey. oguzhanokutan@hotmail.com
Telephone: +90-216-3257250 Fax: +90-216-3257257
Received: August 23, 2003
Revised: November 4, 2003
Accepted: November 20, 2003
Published online: February 1, 2004
Abstract

AIM: To investigate pulmonary involvement via pulmonary function tests (PFT) and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

METHODS: Thirty-four patients with chronic HCV infection without diagnosis of any pulmonary diseases and 10 healthy cases were enrolled in the study. PFT and HRCT were performed in all cases.

RESULTS: A decrease lower than 80% of the predicted value was detected in vital capacity in 9/34 patients, in forced expiratory volume in one second in 8/34 patients, and in forced expiratory flow 25 - 75 in 15/34 patients, respectively. Carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLCO) was decreased in 26/34 patients. Findings of interstitial pulmonary involvement were detected in the HRCT of 16/34 patients. Significant difference was found between controls and patients with HCV infection in findings of HRCT (χ2 = 4.7, P = 0.003). Knodell histological activity index (KHAI) of 28/34 patients in whom liver biopsy was applied was 9.0 ± 4.7. HRCT findings, PFT values and DLCO were not affected by KHAI in patients with HCV infection. In these patients, all the parameters were related with age.

CONCLUSION: We suggest that chronic hepatitis C virus infection may cause pulmonary interstitial involvement without evident respiratory symptoms.

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