Evidences suggest that hepatic manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are a frequent finding among people infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). The goal of the current systematic review is to summarize the evidence on COVID-19 patients with HBV or HCV co-infections.

The authors of the study searched multiple electronic databases and preprint servers from December 1, 2019 to August 9, 2020. Inclusion criteria included studies, which were reported quantitative empirical data on COVID-19 patients with HBV or HCV co-infections. Descriptive analyses were recorded and data were narratively synthesized. Quality assessments was done using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools.

The outcome of the study showed that 28 studies were included among 941 identified records. Out of the total eligible studies, 235 patients with COVID-19 were infected with HBV and 22 patients with HCV. Majority of patients were male and mean age was 49.8 and 62.8 in patients with HBV and HCV, respectively. Mortality rate was 6% among COVID-19-HBV and 13% among COVID-19-HCV co-infected patients. Approximately, 34.1% and 76.2% among COVID-19 patients showed at least one comorbidity besides HBV and HCV infections, which usually involved hypertension and diabetes mellites type 2. The most common COVID-19-related symptoms in both HBV and HCV groups were fever, cough and dyspnea. Moreover, ICU admission was seen in 14.1% and 21.4% of individuals with HBV and HCV, respectively.

Thus, the study concluded that there is a significant risk of morbidity and mortality among COVID-19 patients with HBV and HCV. A careful monitoring of hepatic manifestations upon admission of patients is warranted, which in turn, can help enhance positive health outcomes among COVID-19 patients with HBV or HCV co-infections.

Source: A systematic review. 2020. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344877121_COVID-19_among_patients_with_hepatitis_B_or_hepatitis_C_A_systematic_review