Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40333162›Full record

SynthesisPathogens (Basel, Switzerland)2025

The Dual Burden of Hepatitis B and C Among Drug Users in Asia: The First Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Ali A Rabaan, Kizito E Bello, Zaheda Radwan, Amal K Hassouneh, Hayam A Alrasheed, Jawaher Alotaibi, Bashayer Basrana, Ali A Zaidan, Mohammed A Garout, Tasneem I Zaidan and 6 more

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

16 authors.

Ali A RabaanMolecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran 31311, Saudi Arabia.
Kizito E BelloDepartment of Microbiology, Kogi State (Prince Abubakar Audu) University, Anyigba 10008, Nigeria.ORCID 0000-0002-8158-9341
Zaheda RadwanMedical Laboratory Department, Mohammed Al-Mana College for Medical Sciences, Dammam 34222, Saudi Arabia.ORCID 0000-0001-9657-3855
Amal K HassounehClinical Pharmacy Department, King Saud Medical City, Riyadh 11362, Saudi Arabia.
Hayam A AlrasheedDepartment of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia.ORCID 0009-0002-6186-848X
Jawaher AlotaibiInfectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia.ORCID 0000-0002-1653-4117
Bashayer BasranaDepartment of Infectious Disease, King Abdullah Medical Complex, Jeddah 6725, Saudi Arabia.
Ali A ZaidanGastroenterology Department, King Fahad Armed Forces Hospital, Jeddah 23831, Saudi Arabia.ORCID 0000-0001-9148-6867
Mohammed A GaroutDepartment of Community Medicine and Health Care for Pilgrims, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia.
Tasneem I ZaidanPediatric Infectious Diseases Unit, Pediatric Department, King Abdulaziz Hospital, Jeddah 23831, Saudi Arabia.ORCID 0000-0002-5968-9303
Kawthar Amur Al AmriInfection and Control Department, Armed Forces Hospital, Azaibah 130, Oman.
Sana A AlshaikhDiagnostic Virology Laboratory, Maternity and Children Hospital, Eastern Health Cluster, Dammam 32253, Saudi Arabia.ORCID 0000-0003-2979-3131
Kawthar Haider Al AlawiNursing Department of Vaccine Clinic, Hospital: Al Jamaeen Primary Health Care, Dammam 32467, Saudi Arabia.
Razi A AlalqamDepartment of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons, D02 YN77 Dublin, Ireland.
Huseyin TombulogluDepartment of Genetics Research, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam 34221, Saudi Arabia.ORCID 0000-0001-8546-2658
Nabiha A BouafiaInfection Prevention and Control Centre of Excellence, Prince Sultan Medical Military City, Riyadh 12233, Saudi Arabia.ORCID 0000-0003-0359-6287

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality among drug users in Asia. This study systematically reviews and analyzes the pooled prevalence of HBV and HCV, considering geographic and methodological variations. A meta-analysis following PRISMA guidelines included data from PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar on studies on HBV or HCV or a combination of both within Asia. A random-effects model estimated pooled prevalence, with subgroup analyses by region, study design, diagnostic method, and publication year. A total of 112 studies were analyzed. The pooled HBV prevalence among drug users was 14.3% (95% CI: 11.5-17.6), highest in Malaysia (28.7%) and Vietnam (26.6%). HCV prevalence was 58.6% (95% CI: 54.0-63.0), with the highest rates in Vietnam (63.5%) and China (62.9%). Retrospective studies reported a higher prevalence than cross-sectional ones. The use of ELISA for initial screening followed up by PCR reduced heterogeneity, improving diagnostic accuracy. HBV prevalence declined after 2010, while HCV rates remained persistently high. The high burden of HBV and HCV among drug users in Asia underscores an urgent public health concern. Targeted interventions, including vaccination, harm reduction strategies, and improved access to antiviral treatments, are essential to curbing transmission and enhancing health outcomes.

Indexed as

CoinfectionDrug UsersHepatitis BHepatitis CAsiaHepacivirusHepatitis B virusHumansPrevalencedrug usersHepatitis BHepatitis Cmeta-analysisprevalencesystematic review

Identifiers

PMID40333162
PMCPMC12030361

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.