Hepatitis B seropositivity and risk of developing multiple myeloma or Hodgkin lymphoma: A meta-analysis of observational studies

• Hepatitis B virus is highly prevalent and may increase the risk of developing NHL.
• A meta-analysis was used to identify if HBV may increase risk of HL or MM.
• Our results suggest HBV seropositivity may increase the risk of developing HL.
• Our results suggest HBV seropositivity may increase the risk of developing MM.

Multiple myeloma (MM) and Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) are common hematological malignancies. There is conflicting data on the potential role of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and developing MM or HL. The main aim of this study is to evaluate the association of HBV seropositivity and HL or MM through a meta-analysis of epidemiological studiesA literature search through March 2015 found 10 studies that evaluated the association between HBV and MM or HL. Meta-analysis was calculated as an odds ratio (OR).Our analysis showed an OR of developing MM of 1.41 (P = 0.03) and an OR of developing HL of 1.54 (P = 0.03) in patients with HBV seropositivity. Our results did not change based on study design, quality of studies and use of HBV seropositivity to determine HBV status. Our results suggest that HBV seropositivity increases the risk of developing MM and HL. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.