Systemic sclerosis developing in association with the use of interferon alpha therapy for chronic viral hepatitis

R. Solans, J.A. Bosch, I. Esteban¹, M. Vilardell

Autoimmune Diseases Division and ¹Hepatology Division, Internal Medicine Department, Vall d'Hebrón University General Hospital, Barcelona, Spain.

ABSTRACT
In 1992 interferon alpha (IFNa) was approved by the FDA for the treatment of chronic viral hepatitis B and C. Since then IFNa has been implicated in the development of several autoantibodies as well as in the development or exacerbation of various autoimmune disorders. Herein, we describe a 47-year-old female who developed a limited form of systemic sclerosis (SSc) with lung involvement 6 months after the institution of IFNa therapy for chronic active hepatitis C. There was no family or personal history of autoimmune diseases. We speculate that the immunomodulatory effects of IFNa triggered the clinical manifestations of SSc in this patient. To our knowledge, this is the second case of SSc developing after therapy with IFNa and the first in a patient treated for chronic viral hepatitis C.

Key words
Interferon-alpha therapy, chronic active hepatitis C, auto-antibodies; autoimmune disorders, Raynaud's phenomenon, systemic sclerosis.

Please address correspondence to: Roser Solans Laqué, MD, Servei de Medicina Interna-Malalties Autoimmunes, 3» planta parells, Hospital General Universitari Vall d'Hebrón, P¼ Vall d'Hebrón 119-129, Barcelona 08035, Spain. 
E-mail: rsolans@hg.vhebron.es

Clin Exp Rheumatol 2004; 22: 625-628.
© Copyright Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 2004.