The association between hepatitis B, hepatitis C and systemic sclerosis: a cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To investigate the association between systemic sclerosis (SSc) to chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) carriage. We utilized the database of Clalit Health Services, the largest healthcare organization in Israel and performed a cross-sectional study.

RECENT FINDINGS: The study included 2431 SSc patients and 12 710 age-and-sex matched controls, HBV was found in 38 SSc patients (1.56%) and 64 controls (0.5%). HCV was found in 30 SSc patients (1.23%) and 83 controls (0.65%). In multivariable logistic regression model, HBV was found to be associated with smoking, dialysis treatment and SSc [odds ratio (OR) 2.97, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.92-4.53]. HCV was found to be associated with dialysis treatment and SSc (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.1-2.66). A trend was found between both HBV and HCV toward low socioeconomic status. SSc patients with HBV had demonstrated higher rates of end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis treatment.

SUMMARY: In our study, HBV and HCV were found to be associated with SSc. Common immune mechanisms or therapeutic modalities may serve as mediators of this association.