HBV vaccine and risk of developing multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one the most common in the world. Aim of this study is to perform a systematic review on the relationship between HBV vaccination and multiple sclerosis. Research was conducted on Pubmed, ISI Web of Science, and Scopus. Terms "hepatitis b vaccination" and "multiple sclerosis" were used. Meta-analysis and metaregression were performed. 414 papers were found. Seven articles were selected. For the reported crude risk estimates for MS no statistically significant association was observed with pooled OR 1,19 (95%CI: 0,96-1,49). For the adjusted ORs, the pooled odds ratio (OR) was 0, 965 (95%CI: 0,886- 1,051). Meta regression show that year of publication is negatively (β: -0,019; P < 0.001) and NOS score and publishing in Europe are positively associated with O.R. value. Funnel plot showed the presence of publication bias. Results showed that Hepatitis B vaccination is not associated with an increased risk of developing MS.