Meta-analysis of the association between anti-HBc seropositivity and a poor prognosis of chronic HCV infection

[Guest guest]

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1872-034X.2010.00733.x/abstract

Meta-analysis of the association between anti-HBc seropositivity and a poor

prognosis of chronic HCV infection

Xiao Nan1,†, Shuang Shi1,†, Canqing Yu2, Hui Zhuang1,*Article first

published online: 7 OCT 2010

DOI: 10.1111/j.1872-034X.2010.00733.x

© 2010 The Japan Society of Hepatology

Issue

Hepatology Research

Volume 40, Issue 12, pages 1176–1187, December 2010

Aim:  The impact of serological HBsAg− and anti-HBc+ on the prognosis of

chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is unknown. We conducted a systematic

review to analyze whether anti-HBc positivity imposes any effect on the course

of HCV-related chronic liver disease.

Methods:  We retrieved references from online databases that included PubMed

and EMBASE. Data were gathered with regard to demographic information, disease

progression and prognosis, and the results of serological tests. The development

of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was the endpoint of follow-up of all cohort

studies.

Results:  Eighteen references were included in this study, of which four were

cohort studies. Twelve studies were retrospective, observational and

non-interventional studies. According to our meta-analysis, the rate of

serological HBsAg− and anti-HBc+ was higher among HCC patients compared with

non-HCC patients (odds ratio [OR], 1.55; 95% CI, 1.22–1.98). HCV patients that

were anti-HBc+ had a greater chance of developing HCC than their anti-HBc−

counterparts (OR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.34–3.47).

Conclusions:  The serological status of HBsAg− and anti-HBc+ appears to be

correlated with a poor prognosis for chronic HCV infection. Though the general

quality of these references was low, and multiple confounding factors existed,

the likelihood of a poorer outcome of HCV patients that are positive for

anti-HBc should be considered by their physicians.

[Guest guest]

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1872-034X.2010.00733.x/abstract

Meta-analysis of the association between anti-HBc seropositivity and a poor

prognosis of chronic HCV infection

Xiao Nan1,†, Shuang Shi1,†, Canqing Yu2, Hui Zhuang1,*Article first

published online: 7 OCT 2010

DOI: 10.1111/j.1872-034X.2010.00733.x

© 2010 The Japan Society of Hepatology

Issue

Hepatology Research

Volume 40, Issue 12, pages 1176–1187, December 2010

Aim:  The impact of serological HBsAg− and anti-HBc+ on the prognosis of

chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is unknown. We conducted a systematic

review to analyze whether anti-HBc positivity imposes any effect on the course

of HCV-related chronic liver disease.

Methods:  We retrieved references from online databases that included PubMed

and EMBASE. Data were gathered with regard to demographic information, disease

progression and prognosis, and the results of serological tests. The development

of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was the endpoint of follow-up of all cohort

studies.

Results:  Eighteen references were included in this study, of which four were

cohort studies. Twelve studies were retrospective, observational and

non-interventional studies. According to our meta-analysis, the rate of

serological HBsAg− and anti-HBc+ was higher among HCC patients compared with

non-HCC patients (odds ratio [OR], 1.55; 95% CI, 1.22–1.98). HCV patients that

were anti-HBc+ had a greater chance of developing HCC than their anti-HBc−

counterparts (OR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.34–3.47).

Conclusions:  The serological status of HBsAg− and anti-HBc+ appears to be

correlated with a poor prognosis for chronic HCV infection. Though the general

quality of these references was low, and multiple confounding factors existed,

the likelihood of a poorer outcome of HCV patients that are positive for

anti-HBc should be considered by their physicians.