P-23 SEROLOGICAL PROFILE OF HEPATITIS B AND C IN REUMATHOLOGIC PATIENTS IN USE OF IMMUNOSSUPRESSIVE THERAPY

Introduction

Autoimmune rheumatologic diseases are treated with immunosuppressive therapy to decrease inflammatory response reducing symptomatology and inducing the diseases remission. This therapy interferes in innate and/or adaptive immune response, elevating the risk of hepatitis B (HBV) reactivation and increasing viremia in patients infected by hepatitis C (HCV).

Objective

To evaluate HBV and HCV`s serologic profile in patients that use immunosuppressive therapy in the rheumatology department in a tertiary hospital.

Methods

Descriptive transversal clinical study, based in data collected from patients` medical records using a form elaborated by the authors.

Results

Two hundred-eight medical records were analyzed and of these fifty-two patients (25%) had an investigation for HBV and/or HCV (Figure), with a case of HBV reactivation and a diagnosis of HCV. Of those tested, 75% were women, with a mean aged 48.2 years and the most prevalent diagnoses being systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. The most used therapies are methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine and prednisone.

Conclusion

There were low rates of HBV reactivation and of exacerbation of HCV, however few patients were adequately tested for these diseases. Therefore, the authors infer that HBV and HCV evaluation in patients in use of immunosuppressive therapy is a measure still to be consolidated amongst rheumatologists.

Image

Serological profile of HBV and HCV in patients from the rheumatology department.