학술논문
침술과 C형간염 바이러스 전파 위험성: 체계적 문헌 고찰 및 메타분석
Risk of Hepatitis C Virus Transmission through Acupuncture: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Risk of Hepatitis C Virus Transmission through Acupuncture: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Document Type
Article
Author
현명한 / Myung Han Hyun; 김지훈 / Ji Hoon Kim; 장정원 / Jeong Won Jang; 송정은 / Jeong Eun Song; 송도선 / Do Seon Song; 이혜원 / Hye Won Lee; 조영윤 / Young Youn Cho; 김기애 / Gi-ae Kim; 윤아일린 / Eileen L. Yoon; 신동현 / Dong Hyun Sinn; 김순선 / Soon Sun Kim; 임선영 / Sun Young Yim; 양현 / Hyun Yang; 안지현 / Jihyun An
Source
대한소화기학회지 / The Korean Journal of Gastroenterology. Sep 30, 2023 82(3):127
Subject
Language
Korean
ISSN
1598-9992
Abstract
Background/Aims: Chronic hepatitis C is a major risk factor for liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and hepatic failure. Although traditional practices, including acupuncture, tend to increase the risk of HCV infection, the association remains controversial. Therefore, the current meta-analytical study was undertaken to evaluate the risks of acupuncture and hepatitis C transmission. Methods: Two researchers independently screened studies from the databases encompassing the period from inception to May 12, 2022. Baseline demographics, HCV transmission OR, and 95% CIs were extracted, pooled, and analyzed using random-effect models. Subgroup analyses utilizing study design and ethnicity were performed. Heterogeneity and publication bias were analyzed using the Higgins I2 test and funnel plots, respectively. Results: In all, 28 studies with 194,826 participants (178,583 controls [91.7%] vs. 16,243 acupuncture users [8.3%]) were included in the final analysis. The pooled analysis showed that acupuncture users had a significantly higher HCV transmission rate than controls with heterogeneity (OR, 1.84 [1.46-2.32]; p<0.001; I2 =80%). In the subgroup analysis, both cross-sectional case-control (n=14; OR, 1.96 [1.47-2.61]; p<0.001; I2 =88%) and cross-sectional studies (n=12; OR, 1.85 [1.32-2.61]; p<0.001; I2 =0%) showed significantly higher HCV infection rates in the acupuncture group than in the control group. Both Asian and non-Asian acupuncture users showed a higher HCV transmission risk than the controls (all Ps<0.001). No significant publication bias was observed. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that acupuncture increases the risk of HCV transmission. Due to HCV's contagiousness, unsafe medical and social practices (including acupuncture) should be performed with caution. (Korean J Gastroenterol 2023;82:127-136)