Hepatitis B screening protocol for biologic-treated rheumatoid arthritis patients in Rheumatology department of Bach Mai Hospital from 2016 to 2020

Abstract

This retrospective descriptive study showed 100% of 236 biologic-treated RA biologic-treated patients were screened for HBV prior to biological therapy, of which 3.38% were HBsAg(+); 2.12% were HBsAg(-), anti-HBc(+); 82.63% isolated HBsAg(-) Mean follow-up screening times were: - HBsAg(+): 7.16 months - HBsAg(-), anti-HBc(+): 14.27 months - Others: 13.3 months 100% patients with either HBsAg(+) or anti-HBc(+) had HBV DNA test at follow-up screening Only 4.2% patients received complete baseline screening for HBV infection while 90.7% had partial screening. 5.1% of patients had been prescribed inappropriate HBV testing. Nonetheless, 100% HBV DNA tests respected recommendations and HBV reactivation or hepatitis B flare was found. Repeat screenings were delayed comparing to current recommendations HBV screening practice in Rheumatology department infrequently complied completely with international protocols.