Prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in porphyria cutanea tarda: systematic review and meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT).


METHODS
Studies evaluating prevalence of HCV infection in patients with PCT were considered. Bibliographical searches were conducted in several electronic databases. Studies comparing HCV prevalence in PCT (cases) and in a reference group (controls) were included in the meta-analysis, combining the Odds Ratios (OR) of the individual studies.


RESULTS
Fifty studies including 2,167 patients were identified. Mean HCV prevalence by serology was 47%, and 50% with polymerase chain reaction (PCR). HCV prevalence markedly varied depending on the country and the type of PCT (57% in the sporadic and 26% in the familial form). Eight case-control studies were identified. Seven studies compared HCV prevalence in PCT vs. healthy controls: 40% vs. 0.24%, respectively (OR=275; 95% confidence interval=104-725). Heterogeneity disappeared when only studies evaluating HCV infection by PCR were included.


CONCLUSIONS
HCV prevalence in patients with PCT is approximately 50%, much higher than that reported in general population, suggesting a possible etiopathogenic role of HCV in PCT. The striking geographical variation in this association suggests that genetic and/or environmental factors may also be involved in the pathogenesis of this disorder.
Gisbert
Javier P
JP
Servicio de Gastroenterología y Hepatología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, Diego de León, 62. 28006, Madrid, Spain. gisbert@meditex.es
García-Buey
Luisa
L
Pajares
José María
JM
Moreno-Otero
Ricardo
R
D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D017119:Porphyria Cutanea Tarda / Q000821:virology*; D015995:Prevalence