Prevalence and risk factors associated with the presence of peripheral neuropathy in patients with hepatitis C virus infection.

Objectives: To determine the frequency and risk factors associated with peripheral neuropathy in a population of patients with hepatitis C virus infection.

Methods: Cross-sectional study. Electrophysiological assessment included bilateral motor and sensory conduction studies of four limbs.

Results: Thirty-one cases and 31 control subjects were studied. Eighteen patients (58%) from the group of patients infected with the hepatitis C virus had evidence of neuropathy. Only 3 (10%) persons from the control group exhibited neuropathy. Among the risk factors for neuropathy in the patients infected with hepatitis C virus, we found the following: positive rheumatoid factor, cryoglobulinemia, and cirrhosis or active hepatitis. Other risk factors were advanced age, prolonged time of evolution, high viral load of the hepatitis C virus, and low complement.

Conclusions: The frequency of neuropathy encountered in our study was high (58%). In our study, a positive rheumatoid factor, cryoglobulins, and a high viral load were also associated with the presence of peripheral neuropathy. A high viral load could express possible direct viral damage.