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

Abstract

OZ 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 Vakif 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.