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. 2022 Sep 21;9(10):ofac477.
doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofac477. eCollection 2022 Oct.

Hepatitis C Virus Coinfection in People With Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Iran: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Seyedeh-Kiana Razavi-Amoli  1   2 , Abbas Alipour  3
Affiliations

Hepatitis C Virus Coinfection in People With Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Iran: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Seyedeh-Kiana Razavi-Amoli et al. Open Forum Infect Dis. .

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection is associated with higher mortality and morbidity in people with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH).

Methods: We aimed to characterize the epidemiology and factors associated with HCV coinfection among PWH in Iran. In this systematic review, we searched 3 English databases (MEDLINE, SCOPUS, Embase) and 2 Farsi databases (Scientific Information Database and Magiran) for studies that measured the prevalence of HCV coinfection among PWH, published between 2000 and January 1, 2021. We included studies with a minimum sample size of 5 PWH. Reviews, editorials, conference abstracts, theses, studies with no relevant data, and unclear serological assays were excluded.

Results: We summarized the HCV coinfection prevalence by random-effect meta-analysis and assessed the sources of heterogeneity by a meta-regression model. Of the 858 records identified, 69 eligible studies with 12 996 PWH were included. Overall, HCV coinfection prevalence was 64% (95% confidence interval [CI], 58-69). The prevalence was higher among older (mean age ≥35 years) PWH (69%; 95% CI, 64-74) and PWH who inject drugs (77%; 95% CI, 71-82). Furthermore, we found that coinfection was higher among studies conducted between 2000 and 2014 (67%; 95% CI, 59-75) versus 2015-2020 (57%; 95% CI, 50-64).

Conclusions: The prevalence of HCV coinfection is high in Iranian PWH, with significant geographical variations. Hepatitis C virus screening and treatment among PWH are warranted to avoid the future burden of HCV-related liver damage, cancer, and mortality.

Keywords: Iran; coinfection; hepatitis C; human immunodeficiency virus; people with HIV.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Flowchart of included studies. HCV, hepatitis C virus; HIV, human immunodeficiency virus; SID, Scientific Information Database.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection in people with HIV in Iran. CI, confidence interval; ES, effect size.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
(A) Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection in people with HIV with mean age less than 35 years (A) and equal to or more than 35 years (B). CI, confidence interval; ES, effect size.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in years 2000–2014 (A) and 2015–2020 (B). CI, confidence interval; ES, effect size.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection among people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) with injection drug user (IDU) proportion less than 75% (A) and equal to or more than 75% (B). CI, confidence interval; ES, effect size.
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
Prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Southwest (A), South-Central (B), Northwest (C), East (D), and North-Cental Iran (E). CI, confidence interval; ES, effect size.
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References

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