Evaluation of the relationship between ABO/Rh blood groups and severity of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B

OpenAlex İngilizce

Objective: Studies on the severity of fibrosis in chronic viral hepatitis are scarce and limited with only hepatitis C infection.The aim of this study was to determine the role of ABO-Rh blood groups in the severity of fibrosis and progression to cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was performed in patients who received the diagnosis of CHB in the infectious diseases clinics at Bezmialem Vakıf University Hospital.Age, sex, ABO-Rh blood groups and fibrosis scores of the patients were recorded.The patients were stratified according to severity of fibrosis (F0-2: No fibrosis/mild fibrosis and F3-6: Significant fibrosis) and the presence of cirrhosis (F0-4: No cirrhosis, F5-6: Cirrhosis).Results: Four hundred one (59.5%) of 674 patients were male.The median age of the patients was 40 (±17.86)years.Twentyfive (3.7%) of the 171 (25.4%) patients, in whom liver biopsy was performed, the stage of the fibrosis score was ≥5 and, thus, were considered as having cirrhosis.AB0-Rh blood groups distribution in CHB cases was similar to that in blood donors in our hospital (p=0.152).It was found that O blood group significantly correlated with significant liver fibrosis (p=0.008) and the presence of cirrhosis (p=0.007).In addition, Rh positivity appeared to be related with the presence of cirrhosis (p=0.037).Conclusion: O blood group may probably be involved in significant fibrosis and progression to cirrhosis as a host genetic factor in CHB.