Chronic hepatitis B virus infection and pancreatic cancer: a case-control study in southern China.

BACKGROUND The association of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and pancreatic cancer is still controversial. The purpose of this study is to determine whether chronic HBV infection increases the risk. METHODS In this case-control study, there were 1,066 patients recruited, with 533 in the study group and 533 controls, frequency-matched for age and sex. Blood samples were collected to detect hepatitis viral infection. RESULTS Compared to 77 patients (14.4%) in the control group, 80 pancreatic cancer patients (15.0%) were seropositive for HBV surface antigen (not statistically significant, P=0.8). The prevalence of HBV e antigen was higher in study group than that of control group (P=0.03). Further analysis indicated that HBeAg was a risk factor for pancreatic cancer (OR=2.935, 95% CI: 1.048-8.220). CONCLUSIONS In HBV endemic area of China, there appears to be no significant association between chronic HBV infection and pancreatic cancer, but the role of HBeAg needs further exploration.