title: Chronic hepatitis virus infection in patients with multiple myeloma: clinical characteristics and outcomes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cytotoxic agents and steroids are used to treat lymphoid malignancies, but these compounds may exacerbate chronic viral hepatitis. For patients with multiple myeloma, the impact of preexisting hepatitis virus infection is unclear. The aim of this study is to explore the characteristics and outcomes of myeloma patients with chronic hepatitis virus infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 2003 to 2008, 155 myeloma patients were examined to determine their chronic hepatitis virus infection statuses using serologic tests for the hepatitis B (HBV) and C viruses (HCV). Clinical parameters and outcome variables were retrieved via a medical chart review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The estimated prevalences of chronic HBV and HCV infections were 11.0% (n = 17) and 9.0% (n = 14), respectively. The characteristics of patients who were hepatitis virus carriers and those who were not were similar. However, carrier patients had a higher prevalence of conventional cytogenetic abnormalities (64.3% vs. 25.0%). The cumulative incidences of grade 3-4 elevation of the level of alanine transaminase, 30.0% vs. 12.0%, and hyperbilirubinemia, 20.0% vs. 1.6%, were higher in carriers as well. In a Kaplan-Meier analysis, carrier patients had worse overall survival (median: 16.0 vs. 42.4 months). The prognostic value of carrier status was not statistically significant in the multivariate analysis, but an age of more than 65 years old, the presence of cytogenetic abnormalities, a beta-2-microglobulin level of more than 3.5 mg/L, and a serum creatinine level of more than 2 mg/ dL were independent factors associated with poor prognosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Myeloma patients with chronic hepatitis virus infections might be a distinct subgroup, and close monitoring of hepatic adverse events should be mandatory.
authors.affiliation: National Yang-Ming University Hospital, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Yilan, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: Chung-Jen
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Teng
authors.forename: Han-Tsung
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Chun-Yu
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Chi-Hsiu
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Hsih
authors.forename: Jih-Tung
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Pai
authors.forename: Jyh-Pyng
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Gau
authors.forename: Jin-Hwang
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Tzeon-Jye
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Chiou
authors.forename: Hui-Chi
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Po-Min
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Cheng-Hwai
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Tzeng
authors.forename: Yuan-Bin
authors.initials: YB
authors.lastname: Yu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D002353:Carrier State; D002908:Chronic Disease; D020732:Cytogenetic Analysis; D005260:Female; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics; D014775:Virus Activation
chemical_list: D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D001663:Bilirubin