Association between occult hepatitis B infection and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta-analysis

[Guest guest]

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1478-3231.2011.02481.x/abstract

Association between occult hepatitis B infection and the risk of hepatocellular

carcinoma: a meta-analysis

Y. Shi1, Y. H. Wu1,2,†, Wu Wei1, W. J. Zhang3, J. Yang1, Z. Chen1

Article first published online: 23 FEB 2011

DOI: 10.1111/j.1478-3231.2011.02481.x

© 2011 Wiley & Sons A/S

Issue

Liver International

Early View (Articles online in advance of print)

Abstract

Background: The association between occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and

hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains controversial.

Aims: We conducted a meta-analysis of prospective studies and retrospective

studies to examine whether occult HBV infection increases the risk of HCC.

Methods: Two independent reviewers searched databases for eligible studies

published in English or Chinese dated from 1966 to 6 April 2010. The odds ratios

or the relative risks (RRs) of each study were considered respectively.

Results: We identified 16 eligible studies. A significantly increased risk of

HCC was found in subjects with occult HBV infection in comparison with

non-infected controls in both retrospective [ORunadjusted=6.08, 95% confidence

interval (CI)=3.45–10.72] and prospective studies (RRadjusted=2.86, 95%

CI=1.59–4.13), and occult HBV increased the risk for HCC in both hepatitis C

virus (HCV)-infected populations (summary RR=2.83, 95% CI=1.56–4.10) and in

non-infected populations (ORunadjusted=10.65, 95% CI=5.94–19.08). A higher

prevalence of occult HBV was observed in individuals who were positive for

anti-HBs and anti-HBc (ORunadjusted=1.81, 95% CI=1.06, 3.09).

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that occult HBV infection was associated with

an increased risk of HCC. Occult HBV may serve as a cofactor in the development

of HCV-related HCC, and it may also play a direct role in promoting Non-B and

Non-C HCC growth. Suggestive evidence indicates that individuals with a

concomitant presence of anti-HBs and anti-HBc had an increased risk of occult

HBV infection. However, further studies are needed to clarify these

observations.

[Guest guest]

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1478-3231.2011.02481.x/abstract

Association between occult hepatitis B infection and the risk of hepatocellular

carcinoma: a meta-analysis

Y. Shi1, Y. H. Wu1,2,†, Wu Wei1, W. J. Zhang3, J. Yang1, Z. Chen1

Article first published online: 23 FEB 2011

DOI: 10.1111/j.1478-3231.2011.02481.x

© 2011 Wiley & Sons A/S

Issue

Liver International

Early View (Articles online in advance of print)

Abstract

Background: The association between occult hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and

hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains controversial.

Aims: We conducted a meta-analysis of prospective studies and retrospective

studies to examine whether occult HBV infection increases the risk of HCC.

Methods: Two independent reviewers searched databases for eligible studies

published in English or Chinese dated from 1966 to 6 April 2010. The odds ratios

or the relative risks (RRs) of each study were considered respectively.

Results: We identified 16 eligible studies. A significantly increased risk of

HCC was found in subjects with occult HBV infection in comparison with

non-infected controls in both retrospective [ORunadjusted=6.08, 95% confidence

interval (CI)=3.45–10.72] and prospective studies (RRadjusted=2.86, 95%

CI=1.59–4.13), and occult HBV increased the risk for HCC in both hepatitis C

virus (HCV)-infected populations (summary RR=2.83, 95% CI=1.56–4.10) and in

non-infected populations (ORunadjusted=10.65, 95% CI=5.94–19.08). A higher

prevalence of occult HBV was observed in individuals who were positive for

anti-HBs and anti-HBc (ORunadjusted=1.81, 95% CI=1.06, 3.09).

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that occult HBV infection was associated with

an increased risk of HCC. Occult HBV may serve as a cofactor in the development

of HCV-related HCC, and it may also play a direct role in promoting Non-B and

Non-C HCC growth. Suggestive evidence indicates that individuals with a

concomitant presence of anti-HBs and anti-HBc had an increased risk of occult

HBV infection. However, further studies are needed to clarify these

observations.