Insights into the coexistence of Wilson’s disease and chronic hepatitis B: A retrospective propensity score matched study for improving clinical practice

Background and aims

Early and accurate diagnosis of the coexistence of Wilson’s disease (WD) and chronic hepatitis B (CHB) presents a significant challenge for clinicians. The objective of this study was to retrospectively analyse the characteristics of such patients to improve clinical practice and provide a reference for clinical management.

Methods

From January 2011 to December 2022, 35 patients with concurrent CHB and WD (CHB + WD group) were identified. A total of 127 patients with CHB (CHB group) and 168 patients with WD (WD group) were included in the control group between January 2016 and December 2021. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to balance the baseline values between groups. The Kaplan–Meier (K–M) survival analysis and log-rank test were performed to compare the prognoses.

Results

In the cohort of 35 patients with concurrent CHB and WD, 74.3% of patients (26 patients) faced a substantial delay of up to 10 years (range: 0–40 years) in WD diagnosis following their CHB diagnosis. Twenty-three (65.7%) patients had cirrhosis at the time of WD diagnosis, and 26 (74.3%) patients experienced liver failure. The levels of serum copper and uric acid were lower in patients in the CHB + WD group than in those in the CHB group. Patients in the CHB + WD group presented higher alanine transaminase and total bile acid levels compared to those in the WD group. K–M survival analysis indicated that patients with CHB and WD had poorer outcomes than those with CHB alone; however, the outcomes were similar to those of individuals with WD alone. The optimal cut-point of serum ceruloplasmin (CP) in identifying WD in CHB patients was 0.10 g/L before PSM and after PSM.

Conclusions

The present study emphasizes the importance of clinicians being vigilant for concurrent CHB and WD diagnoses, as delays in WD diagnosis may adversely affect patient outcomes. CHB patients with serum CP below 0.10 g/L are highly recommended to screen for WD.