Increased risk of viral hepatitis in Taiwanese male conscriptees with tattoos

A number of previous literature reviews and research studies have found a correlation between viral hepatitis infections and tattoos. The 1897 subjects of the current study were young adult male military recruits in southern Taiwan (476 with tattoos and 1421 without tattoos) who underwent induction physical examinations before conscription. During the examination, blood samples were collected to screen for hepatitis B surface antigen, antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-hepatitis B HCV), syphilis, and human immunodeficiency virus. Approximately 25.1% had tattoos, 11.3% were positive for HBV surface antigen, 2.5% were positive for HCV antibody, and 2.1% were positive for HCV RNA. The odds ratios for positive hepatitis B virus and HCV infection status were 1.38 (95% confidence interval, 0.98-1.93) and 5.00 (95% confidence interval, 1.83-13.67), respectively, for those with tattoos, compared with those with no tattoos. All conscriptees were seronegative for syphilis and human immunodeficiency virus.