A 32-year-old woman comes to the physician because of a 2-month history of fatigue and muscle pain. Over the past month, she has had intermittent episodes of nausea. She has a history of intravenous drug use, but she has not used illicit drugs for the past five years. She has smoked one pack of cigarettes daily for 14 years and drinks one alcoholic beverage daily. She takes no medications. Her last visit to a physician was 4 years ago. Her temperature is 37.0°C (98.6°F), pulse is 90/min, respirations are 20/min, and blood pressure is 110/70 mm Hg. Physical examination shows jaundice and hepatosplenomegaly. There are blisters and erosions on the dorsum of both hands. The remainder of the examination shows no abnormalities. Laboratory studies show:are positive for hepatitis C virus RNA. Six months previously, she tested negative for hepatitis C. Without treatment, which of the following is the most likely outcome in this patient?

Question

A 32-year-old woman comes to the physician because of a 2-month history of fatigue and muscle pain. Over the past month, she has had intermittent episodes of nausea. She has a history of intravenous drug use, but she has not used illicit drugs for the past five years. She has smoked one pack of cigarettes daily for 14 years and drinks one alcoholic beverage daily. She takes no medications. Her last visit to a physician was 4 years ago. Her temperature is 37.0°C (98.6°F), pulse is 90/min, respirations are 20/min, and blood pressure is 110/70 mm Hg. Physical examination shows jaundice and hepatosplenomegaly. There are blisters and erosions on the dorsum of both hands. The remainder of the examination shows no abnormalities. Laboratory studies show:are positive for hepatitis C virus RNA.  Six months previously, she tested negative for hepatitis C.  Without treatment, which of the following is the most likely outcome in this patient?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: The most common outcome of hepatitis C infection without antiviral treatment is lifelong persistent infection (ie, chronic hepatitis C).  Of those with chronic hepatitis C, approximately 20% develop cirrhosis, and only a minority experiences complications (eg, ascites, variceal bleeding, hepatocellular carcinoma).

A 32-Year-Old Woman Comes to the Physician Because of a 2-Month