RESUMO
To study the clinical significance of antibodies to hepatitis B virus among 100 Saudi patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection. The records of 100 patients with hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection who were admitted between November 1990 and January 1994 were retrospectively studied. These patients were classified into 3 groups according to their serological hepatitis B virus [HBV] status. Group one comprised of 43 patients lacking in HBV antibody and serving as controls. Twenty-nine patients in Group two were positive for HBcAb only, while Group three included 28 patients positive for both HBcAb and HBsAb. Patients with hepatitis C infection who had hepatitis B core antibodies [HBcAb] or both HBcAb and hepatitis B surface antibodies [ABsAb] were more likely to be cirrhotic as compared to sex and age, matched controls lacking antibodies to HBV [75.8%] and 80% respectively vs 48.5%]. When present, cirrhosis was more likely to be decompensated in patients with HBV antibodies as compared to controls [36% and 37.5%] vs 0% Child-Pugh's grade C. Number of hepatocellular carcinomas [HCC] appeared to be related to that of cirrhosis [28% and 34% vs 31% in controls]. It is concluded that patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection have more severe liver disease when they have been previously infected by hepatitis B virus