Risk of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Tuberculosis Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) and infection of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) have appeared as major public health problems. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed at determining the relationship between TB and the risk of HCV infection.

Methods: Google Scholar, Embase, Medline, Pubmed, web of sciences (ISI), and Scopus were searched until March 2022. The pooled ORs of HCV in patients with TB were calculated utilizing the random-effect model with a 95% confidence interval (CI). test was utilized for evaluating the heterogeneity. To check publication bias Egger and Beggs' tests were used.

Results: From among 1500 articles from 2006 to 2020, 13 studies were examined and analyzed based on the inclusion/exclusion criteria. The overall risk of HCV infection in patients with TB was (OR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.10-1.63, =0.001). According to the type of the countries subgroup analysis, the risk of HCV infection in patients with TB in developing countries was (OR: 1.95, 95% CI: 1.00-3.80), which was higher than the risk in developed countries (OR: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.42-1.52). In addition, the risk of hepatitis C infection in men compared to women (OR: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.75-1.94, =0.001) and in age groups over 65 yr compared to other age groups (OR: 1.46, 95% CI: 0.98-2.16) was significantly higher.

Conclusion: The results of this study emphasized the importance of screening HCV in patients with TB. Being aware of the presence or absence of HCV in these patients can contribute to their effective treatment.