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Hepatitis C virus infection and risk of gallstones: A meta‐analysis
Author(s) -
Wijarnpreecha Karn,
Thongprayoon Charat,
Panjawatanan Panadeekarn,
Lekuthai Natasorn,
Ungprasert Patompong
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of evidence‐based medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.885
H-Index - 22
ISSN - 1756-5391
DOI - 10.1111/jebm.12277
Subject(s) - gallstones , medicine , virology , hepatitis virus , hepatitis a virus , virus , gastroenterology
Background/Objectives Gallstones and its complications are one of the most common hepatobiliary tract diseases. Several epidemiologic studies have suggested that patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection might be at an increased risk of gallstones. However, the data on this relationship remain inconclusive. This meta‐analysis was conducted with the aims to summarize all available evidence. Methods A literature search was performed using MEDLINE and EMBASE databases from inception to May 2016. Studies that reported relative risks, odd ratios, or hazard ratios comparing the risk of gallstones among HCV‐infected patients versus subjects without HCV infection were included. Pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random‐effect, generic inverse variance method. Results Eleven studies met our eligibility criteria and were included in the analysis. The pooled OR of gallstones in HCV‐infected patients versus subjects without HCV infection was 1.83 (95% CI, 1.35 to 2.48, I 2 = 89%). Subgroup analysis showed that significant risk was increased for both male (pooled OR of 2.07, 95% CI, 1.14 to 3.76) and female (pooled OR of 3.00, 95% CI, 2.16 to 4.17). Conclusions Our study demonstrated a significantly increased risk of gallstones among HCV‐infected patients. Further studies are required to clarify how this risk should be addressed in the clinical picture.