Prevalence and clinical implications of HFE gene mutations (C282Y and H63D) in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C in Taiwan
Journal
Liver International
Journal Volume
25
Journal Issue
2
Pages
214-219
Date Issued
2005
Author(s)
Abstract
Background/Aims: The implication of hemochromatosis (HFE) gene mutations in chronic viral hepatitis remains controversial. We therefore studied the prevalence of HFE mutations and their impact on the progression of chronic viral hepatitis in Taiwan. Patients & methods: H63D and C282Y mutations were screened by using polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism in 152 chronic hepatitis B patients with various stages of liver disease, 87 chronic hepatitis C patients with various stages of liver disease, and 49 healthy controls. The distribution of each allele frequency was then compared among different groups of patients and in various stages of liver disease. Results: All three groups of patients were C282Y wild type and the majority of H63D mutations were heterozygotes. Although statistically not significant, allele frequencies of H63D mutation in hepatitis B-related liver cirrhosis (6%) and hepatitis C-related liver cirrhosis (9.1%) were higher than those in healthy control (2%). After adjustment for age and sex, hepatitis B patients with H63D heterozygosity had a higher likelihood of cirrhosis than those with H63D wild type (odds ratios (OR): 3.2, confidence interval (CI): 0.49-20.5, P = 0.22). Similarly, hepatitis C patients with H63D homozygosity had a higher likelihood of cirrhosis compared with those with H63D wild type (OR: 2.35, CI: 0.19-28.5, P = 0.52). Conclusions: Almost all Taiwanese are C282Y wild type. H63D heterozygote and homozygote, occurring in less than 5% of the subjects, tended to be associated with the development of liver cirrhosis, irrespective of viral etiology. Screening for H63D mutation might be considered in patients with chronic viral hepatitis in Taiwan. ? Blackwell Munksgaard 2005.
SDGs
Other Subjects
aspartic acid; cysteine; histidine; major histocompatibility antigen class 1; tyrosine; amino acid substitution; article; chromosome 6; confidence interval; controlled study; disease course; disease severity; gene frequency; gene mutation; hemochromatosis; hepatitis A; hepatitis B; heterozygote; homozygosity; homozygote; human; liver cirrhosis; liver disease; major clinical study; polymerase chain reaction; prevalence; restriction fragment length polymorphism; risk assessment; screening; statistical significance; Taiwan
Publisher
Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Type
journal article