The Double Why-Me: Rheumatoid Arthritis and Hepatitis C

It is important that patients and rheumatologists be aware that hepatitis C is a relatively common chronic viral infection, affecting the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. And while the tumor necrosis factor inhibiting agents appear to be safe and effective in rheumatoid arthritis patients with hepatitis C, definitive studies still are underway. In the meantime, rheumatologists must work closely with liver specialists to monitor patients with hepatitis C, all the while being as aggressive as possible in treating the potentially disabling disease, rheumatoid arthritis.