Inflammatory myopathy associated with hepatitis C virus infection: a report of four cases

Four patients with inflammatory myopathy positive for anti-hepatitis C virus are described. One male and three females are included in this report. Mean age of the four patients was 50 years (range 42–60 years). They were referred to our hospital with muscle weakness or myalgia. Active hepatitis C virus infection was confirmed by the detection of hepatitis C virus RNA with the polymerase chain reaction method in sera of these patients. Serum muscle enzymes, such as creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, and aldolase were elevated. Inflammation in the muscle tissue was demonstrated in the muscle biopsy specimens from these patients. The patients received prednisolone and symptoms and elevated muscle enzymes were improved. It is suggested that hepatitis C virus might be one of the possible etiologic factors responsible for inflammatory myopathy.