Studies on the prevalence of COPD in patients with HCV are also scant. In patients with chronic HCV infection, prevalence of COPD (17.6%) and bronchial asthma (14.7%) is significantly higher compared to that in patients with hepatitis B infection matched in age, gender and smoking status (COPD 5%, bronchial asthma 1.7%).[31,32,33]
Hi Chandan,
That sounds unusual, it may be related to immune system activation by HCV and chronicity of the infection. The references listed may have some more information if you could tell us what they are?
BW
Tom
While further studies are needed to clarify the relationship between Hepatitis C and COPD, experts have identified three natural substances that could benefit the progression of both ailments: Vitamin C, Vitamin D and N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC).
Vitamin C – Vitamin C helps neutralize free radicals, substances that are known to cause cellular damage via oxidation. Experts believe Vitamin C may suppress oxidative damage in the lungs, hindering the development of chronic lung diseases and reducing lung damage. The Hepatitis C virus is known to induce a particularly high level of oxidative stress in the liver. As such, Vitamin C is also used to reduce Hepatitis C’s oxidative damage to liver cells.
Vitamin D – Studies have shown that both people with Hepatitis C and COPD are deficient in Vitamin D. A study presented at the 2011 American Thoracic Society International Conference found that patients with COPD who took Vitamin D had a significant improvement in lung capacity. A study presented at the 2010 conference of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases found that Vitamin D dramatically reduced blood levels of Hepatitis C in those with the virus.
N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) – A revered amino acid, NAC is the precursor to the body’s most powerful endogenous antioxidant – glutathione. NAC was first developed as a dietary supplement to help break up mucus in the lungs in conditions such as bronchitis. However, current studies are showing that NAC can slow the progression of, and ease the symptoms of COPD. One of glutathione’s best-known roles is to defend cells against damage from wastes and toxins, making it an ideal choice for those wanting to protect their liver from toxicity. Due to its constant battle defending itself against Hepatitis C, a liver infected with this virus can benefit from increased resistance to toxins. In addition, research has consistently shown that lower levels of glutathione are associated with more severe liver disease.
chronic HCV infection differs between
4- 7%4
. There have been several reports
suggesting the important role of latent
virus within particular adenovirus and
human immunodeficiency virus (HCV) in
the etiology and progression of chronic
obstructive disease (COPD)6
. With ac-
cordance to these reports Kanzawa H,
hypothized that chronic HCV infection
might also be the cause of the trigger
for inflammation in the lungs, hence
either initiating or exacerbating the de-
velopment of COPD7
. In addition, some
researchers suggest that airway disease
may be related to the underlying chronic
inflammatory disorders such as inflam-
matory bowel disease or autoimmune
thyroid disease SILVA DR performed a
cross sectional study to determine the
prevalence of HCV infection in a sample
of COPD patients and found prevalence
of HCV infection in COPD was 7.5%
(95% CI 6.52-8.48)8
. Another study
showed HCV prevalence of 8.3%9
. Study
from Brazil showed high prevalence of
HCV in COPD patients and was indiandative of more severity of disease8
. A
study investigating co-morbid medical
and psychiatric illness and drug addic-
tion in HCV infected and non-infected
soldiers from USA suggested that HCV
infected patients had higher incidence of
diabetic, anemia, hypertension, COPD/
asthma, cirrhosis due to hepatitis B and
C11. While another study presented at
least one pulmonary alteration evidenced
either by pulmonary function tests,
carbon monoxide diffusing capacity, or
high resolution computed tomography
in 75% of patients with chronic HCV
infection12. In some cases, pulmonary
interstitial involvement may be without
evident respiratory symptoms13. How-
ever, the data on the prevalence of HCV
infection among patients with COPD
and vice versa is scanty. There are few
studies on frequency of hepatitis C virus infection among patients with COPD at present time anywhere in the world and no previous study has focused in this
topic in our set up.
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