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Gastrointestinal endoscopy and HBV infection: no evidence for a causal relationship. A prospective controlled study
Insights
Gastrointestinal endoscopy does not significantly increase the risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission. A prospective study found similar infection rates in patients who underwent endoscopy and a control group, suggesting endoscopy is safe.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a significant global health concern.
- Concerns exist regarding potential HBV transmission during gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopic procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively investigate the role of endoscopic procedures in hepatitis B transmission.
- To compare HBV infection rates between patients undergoing endoscopy and a control group.
Main Methods:
- Prospective follow-up of 6 months for all HBV-negative patients undergoing endoscopy.
- Inclusion of a control group of patients admitted during the same period.
- Monitoring infection rates at 1, 3, and 6 months post-endoscopy.
Main Results:
- The HBV infection rate in the endoscopy group was 0.45%.
- The HBV infection rate in the control group was 1%.
- The observed difference in infection rates was not statistically significant.
Conclusions:
- These findings support the view that gastrointestinal endoscopy is not associated with hepatitis B transmission.
- The study provides evidence against uncontrolled reports suggesting endoscopy as a transmission route for HBV.
Abstract:
The importance of the different endoscopic procedures in the transmission of hepatitis B was investigated prospectively by following up for 6 months all HBV-negative patients endoscoped from April to October 1981. A group of patients admitted in the same period to our unit constituted the control group. Controls were obtained after 1, 3, and 6 months from endoscopy. Infection rate was 1% for the control group and 0.45% for the endoscopy group. The difference is not statistically significant. These results strongly support the view, already present on an uncontrolled basis in the literature, that transmission of hepatitis B is not associated with gastrointestinal endoscopy.