A very small proportion of patients infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV; 1.8% and none, respectively) were heterozygous for the C282Y mutation, that is, rates not statistically different from those observed in healthy control (2%, P > 0.05).
We found that the major C282Y mutation was significantly more frequent in subjects infected with hepatitis B virus (4%) than in 194 control subjects (0%, P=.02; Fisher's exact test).
In conclusion, given the association between C282Y mutation and HBV infection in male patients with HCC, a careful evaluation and follow-up should be considered in the C282Y-positive subjects with hepatitis B virus related liver disease.
At univariate analysis, iron overload was significantly associated with both HFE mutations (P < 0.0001), whereas ongoing hepatitis B virus infection was associated with the C282Y mutation (P < 0.05).