Abstract
Context: Viral hepatitis and the consumption of alcohol are recognized as important reasons for the development of liver disease
throughout the world. It would also seem that chronic alcoholism causes more severe and rapid progression of liver disease in patients
with chronic hepatitis C, leading to more frequent liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.
Evidence Acquisition: The data for this article were obtained through an initial Medline search and from the references of relevant
articles, and used to provide updated information on the relationship between alcohol consumption and the hepatitis C virus.
Results: Excessive alcohol consumption among patients with chronic hepatitis C is likely to result in more severe hepatic injuries, promote
pathologic progression to cirrhosis, and increase the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma. Although the exact mechanisms
involved in the progression of chronic hepatitis C in alcoholic patients have not been definitely established, possible alcohol-induced
enhancement of viral replication, iron overload, immunologic suppression, the role of NF-kappa B, and the signaling pathways involved
in its activation, have been suggested. Significant correlations have been reported between hepatitis C virus RNA levels and the amount of
alcohol consumed by an individual. Interferon therapy is less effective for alcohol patients, than non-alcoholic patients, even after a period
of abstinence. The obtained data suggest that a hepatitis C virus infection is an important cofactor in the pathogenesis of liver disease
among patients with an alcohol problem.
Conclusions: In light of a possible synergistic effect between alcohol and hepatitis C virus replication, total abstention ought to be
recommended, and due to alcohol's inhibitory effect on interferon therapy, patients with alcohol problems should not be treated until
they stop drinking.