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Chronic hepatitis C viral infection among SLE patients: the significance of coexistence
Naim Mahroum1,2, Ashraf Hejly1,2, Shmuel Tiosano1,2
1Department of Medicine 'B', Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, 5262100, Israel.
Insights
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients show a higher prevalence of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection compared to controls. This real-world study highlights a significant association between SLE and HCV infection.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Hepatology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Viral infections are linked to autoimmune diseases.
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with autoimmune conditions.
- The relationship between HCV and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) lacks extensive real-world data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between SLE and chronic HCV infection.
- To compare HCV infection rates in SLE patients versus controls using a large national database.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of a large Israeli healthcare database (Clalit Health Services).
- Comparison of SLE patients with age- and sex-matched controls.
- Statistical analysis included Chi-square tests, t tests, and multivariate logistic regression.
Main Results:
- A significantly higher proportion of HCV infection was found in SLE patients (1.06%) compared to controls (0.39%; p < 0.001).
- The association between SLE and HCV infection remained significant in multivariate analysis (OR = 2.07, 95% CI = 1.46-2.90).
- A notable association was observed in patients with higher socioeconomic status.
Conclusions:
- Patients diagnosed with SLE exhibit a greater prevalence of chronic HCV infection.
- The findings suggest a significant link between SLE and HCV infection in a real-world setting.
- Further research may explore the underlying mechanisms driving this association.
Abstract:
The association between viral infection and autoimmune diseases is an established phenomenon in medicine. Hepatitis C viral infection is known to have such an association; however, its association with systemic lupus erythematosus has not been studied in a real life study driven from a large national database. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between SLE and chronic hepatitis C viral infection. Patients with SLE were compared with age- and sex-matched controls regarding the proportion chronic HCV infection. Chi-square and t tests were used for univariate analysis, and a logistic regression model was used for multivariate analysis. The study was performed utilizing the medical database of Clalit Health Services in Israel. There was a significant higher proportion of hepatitis C viral infection in SLE patients as compared to controls (1.06 and 0.39%, respectively; p < 0.001). A significant association was also observed among patients of higher socioeconomic status. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, SLE was significantly associated with hepatitis C viral infection (OR = 2.07, 95% CI = 1.46-2.90). To conclude, Patients with SLE have a greater proportion of chronic HCV infection than matched controls.
