Peripheral neuropathy in patients with hepatitis virus C infection in the Amazon region

Abstract

Introduction: Hepatitis virus C (HCV) infection is considered a health problem in the State of Acre localized in the Brazilian Amazon which has a prevalence rate of 5.9%. Peripheral neuropathy is a common extra-hepatic manifestation in patients with HCV. Objective: To determine the prevalence of peripheral neuropathies using clinical and neurophysiological parameters. Method: A cross sectional study was perf o rmed in patients assisted by a specialized center of infectious diseases in the State of Acre . All patients completed a clinicoepidemiological questionnaire, physical examination and nerve conduction studies(NCS. Results: We studied 78 patients with mean age 45.5 years (range from 10 to 76 years),two thirds were male, 51% had at least 8 years of formal education and 96% lived in the capital city of Acre State. Roughly 34% of patients complained about paresthesias mainly in upper limbs. The NCS diagnosed multiple mononeuropathy in 11 (14.1%; IC95% 7.6-23.2) patients and carpal tunnel syndrome in 4(5.1%) patients. Conclusion: Subclinical involvement of peripheral nerves seems common in patients with H C V, with multiple mononeuropathy the main manifestation of nerve injury in this region as suggested by electrophysiological studies.