Hepatitis B Virus Screening Prior to Chemotherapy in Patients with Solid Organ Malignancy at the Brazzaville University Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Viral hepatitis B is a major public health problem in Africa. In patients receiving chemotherapy, its reactivation can be life-threatening. Systematic screening prior to chemotherapy can prevent this complication. Aim: To evaluate the practice of HBV screening before the onset of anti-cancer chemotherapy at the Brazzaville University Hospital (CHUB). Method : This was a retrospective study including patients aged 18 years and over who received chemotherapy in the CHUB oncology department from January 2021 to December 2023. Socio-demographic characteristics and frequencies of HBsAg, HBcAb and HBsAb testing prior to chemotherapy were determined. Factors associated with HBV screening were investigated using multivariate analysis. P value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: There were 312 patients, 69.6% of whom were women. Mean age was 54.9 ± 13.1 years. Breast and cervix cancers were found in 45.2% and 15.7% of patients, respectively. HBsAg testing was performed in 66.7% of patients. No patient was tested for HBcAb or HBsAb. Age greater than or equal to 60 years was associated with HBV screening (60 to 69 years: OR = 4.17, P = 0.002). Conclusion: The rate of HBV screening was inadequate. Compulsory screening of all patients eligible for chemotherapy and systematic testing for HBsAg, HBcAb and HBsAb should be made more widely available.