Hepatitis C virus syndrome: A constellation of organ- and non-organ specific autoimmune disorders, B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and cancer

Table 1 Hepatitis C virus syndrome: strength of association between hepatitis C virus infection and different diseases

Strong association1	Significant association2	Possible association3	Anecdotal association4
Chonic hepatitis	B-cell NHL	Sicca syndrome/SS	PM/DM
Cirrhosis	Monoclonal gammopthies	Polyarthritis	PAN
HCC	Porphyria cutanea tarda	Pruritus	Behçet’s syndrome
Mixed cryoglobulinemia s./	Glomerulonephritis	Osteosclerosis	Chronic urticaria
Cryoglobulinemic vasculitis	Autoimmune thyroiditis Papillary thyroid cancer Diabetes m. type 2	Fibromyalgia Peripheral neuropathy Lung alveolitis Autoimmune hepatitis Cardiovascular inv. Lichen planus	Psorias Mooren corneal ulcer

¹The HCV is the etiological agent or it is detectable in the majority of patients;

²HCV is detectable in a significant proportion of pts compared to general population, with heterogeneous geographical distribution, its potential role is supported by pathogenetic studies;

³A role of HCV infection has been suggested by cohort studies or

⁴by some anecdotal observations. HCC: Hepatocellular carcinoma; SS: Sjögren’s syndrome; PM/DM: Polymyositis/dermatomyositis; PAN: Panarteritis nodosa; HCV: Hepatitis C virus.