Naim Mahroum1,2, Abdulla Watad1,2, Shmuel Tiosano1,2, Ashraf Hejly1, Hussein Mahagna1, Roy Waknin2, Doron Comaneshter3, Arnon D Cohen3,4, Howard Amital5,6. 1. Department of Medicine 'B', Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, 52621, Tel-Hashomer, Israel. 2. Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel. 3. Chief Physician's Office, Clalit Health Services Tel Aviv, Tel-Aviv, Israel. 4. Siaal Research Center for Family Medicine and Primary Care, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel. 5. Department of Medicine 'B', Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, 52621, Tel-Hashomer, Israel. howard.amital@sheba.health.gov.il. 6. Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel. howard.amital@sheba.health.gov.il.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common inflammatory joint disorder presenting also with extra-articular manifestations. As many other autoimmune diseases, it has been suggested that infectious diseases might contribute to its emergence. Hepatitis viruses were suggested by several reports as a trigger of RA onset. We aimed to assess the association between RA and chronic hepatitis B viral infection (HBV). METHODS: Patients with RA were compared with age- and sex-matched controls regarding the proportion of chronic HBV infection in a case-control study. The chi-square and t tests were used for univariate analysis, whereas a logistic regression model was used for multivariate analysis. The study was performed utilizing the medical database of Clalit Health Services. RESULTS: There was a significantly higher proportion of chronic HBV infection in RA patients compared with controls (1.19% vs 0.63%, respectively; p < 0.001). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, RA was significantly associated with chronic HBV infection (OR = 1.89, 95%CI 1.55-2.29, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with RA have a greater proportion of chronic HBV infection than matched controls. Screening for HBV infection among RA patients may be warranted.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common inflammatory joint disorder presenting also with extra-articular manifestations. As many other autoimmune diseases, it has been suggested that infectious diseases might contribute to its emergence. Hepatitis viruses were suggested by several reports as a trigger of RA onset. We aimed to assess the association between RA and chronic hepatitis B viral infection (HBV). METHODS:Patients with RA were compared with age- and sex-matched controls regarding the proportion of chronic HBV infection in a case-control study. The chi-square and t tests were used for univariate analysis, whereas a logistic regression model was used for multivariate analysis. The study was performed utilizing the medical database of Clalit Health Services. RESULTS: There was a significantly higher proportion of chronic HBV infection in RApatients compared with controls (1.19% vs 0.63%, respectively; p < 0.001). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, RA was significantly associated with chronic HBV infection (OR = 1.89, 95%CI 1.55-2.29, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS:Patients with RA have a greater proportion of chronic HBV infection than matched controls. Screening for HBV infection among RApatients may be warranted.
Entities:
Keywords:
Autoimmune disease; Autoimmunity; Hepatitis B virus; Rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Daniel H Solomon; Elizabeth W Karlson; Eric B Rimm; Carolyn C Cannuscio; Lisa A Mandl; JoAnn E Manson; Meir J Stampfer; Gary C Curhan Journal: Circulation Date: 2003-03-11 Impact factor: 29.690
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