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Meta-Analysis
. 2024 Feb 8;19(2):e0284169.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284169. eCollection 2024.

Global epidemiology of hepatitis C virus in dialysis patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Raoul Kenfack-Momo  1 , Marceline Djuidje Ngounoue  1 , Sebastien Kenmoe  2 , Guy Roussel Takuissu  3 , Jean Thierry Ebogo-Belobo  4 , Cyprien Kengne-Ndé  5 , Donatien Serge Mbaga  6 , Elisabeth Zeuko'o Menkem  7 , Robertine Lontuo Fogang  8 , Serges Tchatchouang  9 , Juliette Laure Ndzie Ondigui  6 , Ginette Irma Kame-Ngasse  4 , Josiane Kenfack-Zanguim  1 , Jeannette Nina Magoudjou-Pekam  1 , Arnol Bowo-Ngandji  6 , Maimouna Mahamat  10   11 , Seraphine Nkie Esemu  2 , Lucy Ndip  2 , Richard Njouom  12
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Global epidemiology of hepatitis C virus in dialysis patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Raoul Kenfack-Momo et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Dialysis is a replacement therapy for patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). Patients on dialysis are at high risk of acquiring hepatitis C virus (HCV), which has become a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in this population. There is a wide range of prevalence of HCV in dialysis populations around the world. It is still unknown how prevalent HCV infection is among worldwide dialysis patients (including those undergoing hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis). A review was conducted to estimate the global epidemiology of hepatitis C in dialysis patients. We searched PubMed, Excerpta Medica Database (Embase), Global Index Medicus and Web of Science until October 2022. A manual search of references from relevant articles was also conducted. Heterogeneity was evaluated by the χ2 test on Cochrane's Q statistic, and the sources of heterogeneity were investigated using subgroup analysis. In order to assess publication bias, funnel plots and Egger tests were conducted, and pooled HCV prevalence estimates were generated using a DerSimonian and Laird meta-analysis model. The study is registered with PROSPERO under CRD42022237789. We included 634 papers involving 392160 participants. The overall HCV case fatality rate was 38.7% (95% CI = 28.9-49). The global prevalence of HCV infection in dialysis population group were 24.3% [95% CI = 22.6-25.9]. As indicated by UNSD region, country, dialysis type, and HCV diagnostic targeted; Eastern Europe had the highest prevalence of 48.6% [95% CI = 35.2-62], Indonesia had 63.6% [95% CI = 42.9-82], hemodialysis patients had 25.5% [95% CI = 23.8-27.3], and anti-HCV were detected in 24.5% [95% CI = 22.8-26.2]. Dialysis patients, particularly those on hemodialysis, have a high prevalence and case fatality rate of HCV infection. Hemodialysis units need to implement strict infection control measures.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Flow diagram for retrieving and processing article selection.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Case fatality race of hepatitis C virus infections in dialysis population.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Prevalence estimates of hepatitis C virus infection in dialysis patients.
Fig 4
Fig 4. Global prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in dialysis patients.
The base map was taken from (https://www.naturalearthdata.com/) and modified with Qgis software.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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