[Prevalence of hepatitis C in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in the Hospital of Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (HUCCF)].

Background: Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are at risk for the acquisition of hepatitis C, owing to frequent hospitalization and hemotransfusion. Many clinical and laboratory manifestations related to auto-immunity are shared between Lupus and HCV infected patients.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of hepatitis C in the population with SLE monitored in the out-patient service of the special programs in--Collagenoses--of the University Hospital Clementino Fraga Filho (HUCFF-UFRJ).