Values of high-resolution computed tomography and pulmonary function tests in managements of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection

AIM:To investigate pulmonary involvement via pulmonary function tests (PFT) and high-resolution computed tomocjraphy (HRCT) in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. METHODS:Thirty-four patients with chronic HCV infection without diagnosis of any pulmonary diseases and 10 healthy cases were enrolled in the study,PFT and HRCT were performed in all cases. RESULTS:A decrease lower than 80% of the predicted value was detected in vital capacity in 9/34 patients,in forced expiratory volume in one second in 8/34 patients,and in forced expiratory flow 25-75 in 15/34 patients,respectively.Carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLCO) was decreased in 26/34 patients.Findings of interstitial pulmonary involvement were detected in the HRCT of 16/34 patients.Significant difference was found between controls and patients with HCV infection in findings of HRCT (X^2=4.7,P=0.003).Knodell histological activity index (KHAI) of 28/34 patients in whom liver biopsy was applied was 9.0±4.7.HRCT findings,PFT values and DLCO were not affected by KHAI in patients with HCV infection.In these patients,all the parameters were related with age. CONCLUSION:We suggest that chronic hepatitis C virus infection may cause pulmonary interstitial involvement without evident respiratory symptoms.