Background/aim: Chronic hepatitis C virus infection (CHC) has been reported in association
with several extrahepatic manifestations, including pulmonary abnormalities. The aim of this
study was to elucidate the association of CHC with interstitial pulmonary involvement and
its impact on pulmonary functional and radiological changes. Also to evaluate the CHC
effect on pulmonary function tests (PFTs) of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD) or bronchial asthma. Patients/Methods: Hundred patients were divided into
3 groups, (GI): Thirty patients proved to be CHCt for each patient PFTs, liver biopsy & highresolution CT (HRCT) of chest were done, and its scores were calculated. (G2): Forty
patients with COPD were subdivided into 4 subgroups (10 for each), (A & B): HCV-ve nonand
current-smokers, (C & D): HCV+ve non- and current-smokers, respectively. For each
patient Forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) and Diffusion capacity of the
lung for carbon monoxide (DLco) were followed up for 3 years. (G3): Thirty patients with
bronchial asthma (17 HCV-ve and 13 HCV+ve), FEV1 was measured before and after
bron-chodilator (salbutamol) and followed up for 3 years. Results: G 1: Abnormal
ventilatory functions and HRCT positive finding were found in 10(33.3%) and 17(56.7%)
of cases respectively. There was significant correlation for
Metavir stage (F) with FEV1/FVC (Forced vital capacity) & HRCT
score (p value