Are Serum Iron Indices Elevated in Patients with HCV?
What Do Increased Serum Iron Indices in the Patient with Chronic HCV Mean? What Is the Role of Hepatic Iron in Chronic HCV Infection? What Effect Do HFE Mutations Have in Chronic HCV Disease? What Are the Potential Consequences of Excess Iron in Chronic HCV Infection? Is Iron Depletion Therapy Beneficial for Patients with HCV? Conclusions References and Recommended Reading Serum iron markers are often elevated in hepatitis C virus infection, particularly in African-American persons, although the clinical significance of this finding remains unclear. Although hepatic iron is usually only mildly elevated in hepatitis C virus, iron overload is associated with more advanced disease, nonresponse to interferon monotherapy, and increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. Iron status does not predict response to interferon and ribavirin combination therapy. Most studies indicate that HFE mutations are associated with increased iron stores and advanced fibrosis. Iron depletion therapy may delay
