Skin manifestations of chronic hepatitis C virus infection in Cairo, Egypt

ABSTRACT

We assessed the dermatological manifestations associated with chronic hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection and their association with liver status. Of 155 patients with chronic HCV infection in Cairo, Egypt, 71 [45.8%] had dermatological manifestations pruritus without evident skin lesions [21.3%], pigmented purpuric eruption [5.2%], aphthous ulcer and lichen planus [3.9% each], leukocytoclastic vasculitis [2.6%], psoriasis [1.9%], tinea versicolor [1.3%] and other conditions [5.8%]. Shrunken liver, splenomegaly and ascites were significantly associated with the presence of skin lesions [relative risk 8.0, 2.7 and 1.8 respectively], and shrunken liver was significantly associated with pruritus [relative risk 2.1]. Sex was not associated with any of the skin lesions