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The prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in thalassemia patients in Iran from 2000 to 2017: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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Abstract

One of the major infections transmitted through the bloodstream is hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Patients with thalassemia requiring frequent blood transfusions are at risk for HCV. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the incidence of HCV in thalassemia patients in Iran. The following databases were searched: ISI/Web of Science, Embase, Pubmed/MEDLINE via Ovid, Scopus, as well as Iranian databases (Magiran, Irandoc and SID) from January 2000 to July 2017. The quality of the studies was evaluated using the 22-item STROBE checklist. The random model based on the DerSimonian/Laird approach was used. To assess the stability of the results, a sensitivity analysis was performed, stratifying on the basis of quality, sample size, year of publication, and geographical area of studies. Also, meta-regression analyses were carried out in terms of sample size and year of publication of studies. Fifty-two studies were included. The total number of patients included was 13,291. Based on the random model, the overall prevalence of HCV in thalassemia patients was 19% (95% CI 16–21). The results did not differ before and after sensitivity analysis. The prevalence of HCV in thalassemia patients in Iran was 19%. This figure was lower than in the neighboring countries of Iran. Screening and the use of diagnostic methods for screening blood donors are essential. In addition, the treatment of patients should be seriously addressed by the agenda of the Iranian health system.

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Funding

This study was part of a PhD thesis supported by the School of Health Management, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Iran (Grant no: IUMS/SHMIS_1396/9423557001).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health Services Management, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Masoud Behzadifar & Hassan Abolghasem Gorji

  2. Health Management and Economics Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Hassan Abolghasem Gorji

  3. School of Public Health, Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy

    Nicola Luigi Bragazzi

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  1. Masoud Behzadifar
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Correspondence to Hassan Abolghasem Gorji.

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Behzadifar, M., Gorji, H.A. & Bragazzi, N.L. The prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in thalassemia patients in Iran from 2000 to 2017: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch Virol 163, 1131–1140 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00705-018-3767-0

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