Washington, Nov 1 (ANI): Contrary to popular opinion, hepatitis B doesn't appear to increase the risk of developing pancreatic cancer, say researchers.
However, the overall analysis has revealed that only age is significant predictor for pancreatic cancer.
Hepatitis B is an inflammation of the liver caused by a viral infection.
"We looked at the incidence of pancreatic cancer among hepatitis B-infected patients over a 13-year period and found that we could not confirm a higher risk for those with a previous exposure to hepatitis B, as a prior study suggested," said Dr Jeffrey Tang, gastroenterologist at Henry Ford Hospital and lead author of the study.
"When other factors are considered - such as age, race, sex, HIV status, and the presence of diabetes - only older age and presence of diabetes proved significant, whereas prior exposure to hepatitis B was no longer an important variable," Tang added.
The study was presented at the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases' Annual Meeting in Boston. (ANI)
However, the overall analysis has revealed that only age is significant predictor for pancreatic cancer.
Hepatitis B is an inflammation of the liver caused by a viral infection.
"We looked at the incidence of pancreatic cancer among hepatitis B-infected patients over a 13-year period and found that we could not confirm a higher risk for those with a previous exposure to hepatitis B, as a prior study suggested," said Dr Jeffrey Tang, gastroenterologist at Henry Ford Hospital and lead author of the study.
"When other factors are considered - such as age, race, sex, HIV status, and the presence of diabetes - only older age and presence of diabetes proved significant, whereas prior exposure to hepatitis B was no longer an important variable," Tang added.
The study was presented at the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases' Annual Meeting in Boston. (ANI)
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