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Review
. 2009 Dec;23(12):822-8.
doi: 10.1155/2009/290383.

The role of iron in the pathophysiology and treatment of chronic hepatitis C

Leslie Price  1 , Kris V Kowdley
Affiliations
Review

The role of iron in the pathophysiology and treatment of chronic hepatitis C

Leslie Price et al. Can J Gastroenterol. 2009 Dec.

Abstract
in English, French

Increased hepatic iron content may be observed in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection, and may contribute to disease severity. The presence of hemochromatosis gene mutations is associated with increased hepatic iron accumulation and may lead to accelerated disease progression. Hepatic iron depletion has been postulated to decrease the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with cirrhosis due to chronic hepatitis C. It is possible that iron depletion stabilizes or improves liver histology and slows disease progression in these individuals. The present article reviews the prevalence and risk factors for hepatic iron overload in chronic hepatitis C, with emphasis on the available data regarding the efficacy of iron depletion in the treatment of this common liver disease.

On peut observer une augmentation de la teneur en fer hépatique chez les patients atteints d’une infection par l’hépatite C chronique, ce qui peut contribuer à la gravité de la maladie. La présence de mutations du gène d’hémochromatose s’associe à une accumulation accrue du fer hépatique et peut accélérer la progression de la maladie. Il est également postulé que la déplétion du fer hépatique réduit le risque de carcinome hépatocellulaire chez les patients ayant une cirrhose imputable à une hépatite C chronique. Chez ces personnes, il se peut que la déplétion du fer stabilise ou améliore l’histologie du foie et ralentisse la progression de la maladie. Le présent article contient une analyse de la prévalence et des facteurs de risque de surcharge de fer hépatique en cas d’hépatite C chronique et s’attarde aux données disponibles au sujet de l’efficacité de la déplétion du fer dans le traitement de cette maladie hépatique courante.

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