Endocrine disorders associated with hepatitis C virus chronic infection

Abstract

The term "HCV syndrome" encompasses several organ- and systemic pathophysiological states, which often recognize autoimmunity or neoplastic evolution in their pathophysiology, as well as chronic HCV infection as trigger. The clinical features of HCV patients are heterogenous, and may include endocrine or metabolic disorders, namely autoimmune thyroiditis, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and erectile/sexual dysfunctions. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on the endocrine/metabolic diseases associated with chronic HCV infection, focusing on the main concepts emerged in the recent literature in this field. The application of this knowledge in everyday clinical practice may be relevant, in order to reinforce a holistic vision of the patient with chronic HCV infection, stimulating in turn a multi-disciplinary approach, thus increasing the probability of early diagnosis, more effective treatments, and a better prognostic outcome.

Keywords: Diabetes; Erectile dysfunction; HCV; Hepatitis C; Hypothyroidism; Thyroiditis.