A new meta-analysis, published in the European Journal of Internal Medicine, suggests that hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a risk factor for the development of coronary artery disease (CAD).
Researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 14 studies (cohort: 8; case-control and cross-sectional: 6) identified through a literature search on the PubMed, Embase and Cochrane library databases.
Analysis of eight cohort studies using random effects model showed a significant association between HCV infection and CAD (overall risk ratio, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.12-1.40). Similarly, analysis of six case-control and cross-sectional studies using a fixed effects model also showed a positive association between HCV infection and CAD (overall OR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.58-2.38).
According to a previous study, chronic HCV infection may play a potential role in vascular injury, endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, lipid disturbances, metabolic disturbances, autoimmunity response, and subsequent atherosclerosis, all of which contribute to the development of CAD. To strengthen the association, the authors call for further prospective cohort studies with large sample size and appropriate patient stratifications.
