@article{0d25017445df42afb2630146a6964bed,
title = "Chronic hepatitis B viral infection among RA patients—a cross-sectional control study",
abstract = "Background and objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common inflammatory joint disorder presenting also with extra-articular manifestations. As many other autoimmune diseases, it has been suggested that infectious diseases might contribute to its emergence. Hepatitis viruses were suggested by several reports as a trigger of RA onset. We aimed to assess the association between RA and chronic hepatitis B viral infection (HBV). Methods: Patients with RA were compared with age- and sex-matched controls regarding the proportion of chronic HBV infection in a case-control study. The chi-square and t tests were used for univariate analysis, whereas a logistic regression model was used for multivariate analysis. The study was performed utilizing the medical database of Clalit Health Services. Results: There was a significantly higher proportion of chronic HBV infection in RA patients compared with controls (1.19% vs 0.63%, respectively; p < 0.001). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, RA was significantly associated with chronic HBV infection (OR = 1.89, 95%CI 1.55–2.29, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Patients with RA have a greater proportion of chronic HBV infection than matched controls. Screening for HBV infection among RA patients may be warranted.",
keywords = "Autoimmune disease, Autoimmunity, Hepatitis B virus, Rheumatoid arthritis",
author = "Naim Mahroum and Abdulla Watad and Shmuel Tiosano and Ashraf Hejly and Hussein Mahagna and Roy Waknin and Doron Comaneshter and Cohen, {Arnon D.} and Howard Amital",
note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2019, International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR).",
year = "2019",
month = may,
day = "1",
doi = "10.1007/s10067-019-04448-x",
language = "אנגלית",
volume = "38",
pages = "1237--1241",
journal = "Clinical Rheumatology",
issn = "0770-3198",
publisher = "Springer London",
number = "5",
}