Hepatic manifestations of coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) are frequently found among people living with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). The goal of the present systematic review is to summarize the data on COVID-19 patients living with HBV or HCV co-infections. The authors included studies, which contained quantitative empirical data on COVID-19 patients living with HBV or HCV co-infections. This data involves descriptive analyses were reported, and data were obtained narratively. The quality evaluation was done using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools.

The results of the study showed that among the 941 exclusively identified records, 27 studies were reviewed. Out of the total studies included, 232 COVID-19 patients were living with HBV and 22 were living with HCV. Most patients were male, and the mean age was 49.8 and 62.8 years in patients living with HBV and HCV, respectively. The proportions of death were 4.7% and 15% in cross-sectional and case series/report studies among the reported cases of SARS-CoV-2-HBV co-infection, respectively. The death proportion was 8.3% among the reported cases of SARS-CoV-2-HCV co-infection. Approximately, 34.1% and 76.2% of COVID-19 patients exhibited at least one comorbidity besides HBV and HCV infections, especially hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The most common COVID-19-related symptoms in both HBV and HCV groups were fever, cough, dyspnea, fatigue, and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Thus, the study concluded that although understanding the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 warrants further studies, the cautious evaluation of hepatic manifestations and chronic infections, such as HBV and HCV upon the admission of COVID-19 patients is essential.  This examination could help decrease multimorbidity among HBV or HCV patients and enhance more favorable health outcomes in these patients.

Source: Mirzaie H, Vahidi M, Shokoohi M, Darvishian M, Sharifi H, et al. COVID-19 Among Patients With Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C: A Systematic Review. Hepat Mon. 2020 20(11): e111617. Available at: https://sites.kowsarpub.com/hepatmon/articles/111617.html