No Increased Risk of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Patients with Celiac Disease: A Population-Based Study

Celiac disease (CeD) has been associated with a low response to hepatitis B (HBV) vaccination, but guidelines for testing and revaccination among individuals with CeD are sparse. We examined the risk of future HBV among individuals with CeD in a population-based Swedish cohort. Furthermore, we examined the rate of prior HBV infection in CeD patients.

All individuals in Sweden diagnosed with biopsy-verified CeD between 1990 and 2017 were identified through the ESPRESSO cohort. Each individual with CeD was matched by age, sex, calendar year, and birth country (Nordic vs. other) with up to 5 reference individuals.

We identified 44,721 CeD and 222,238 reference individuals. The incidence rates of diagnosed HBV were 2.3 and 2.9 per 100,000 person-years, respectively. This represented no association with CeD (HR 0.77 (0.45-1.30)). This null association was similar for those with a Nordic (HR 0.80 (0.40-1.60)) and non-Nordic ((HR 0.31 (0.09-1.08)) country of birth. Rates of prior HBV infection were low (CeD 0.08%, controls 0.06%). This corresponded to a small but insignificant increase among individuals with CeD (odds ratio, OR 1.41 (0.97-2.05).

In a population-based Swedish cohort, there was no increased risk of developing HBV in individuals with CeD. This finding does not support current practices of testing and revaccination for HBV. Additional studies should be completed in areas with higher endemic rates of HBV. Slightly higher rates of prior HBV infection in CeD may be secondary to increased testing in those seeking medical care for another disease process.