HBV infection increases the risk of macular degeneration: the roles of HBx-mediated sensitization of retinal pigment epithelial cells to UV and blue light irradiation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is strongly associated with hepatocellular carcinoma due to the main pathogenic X protein of HBV (HBx). Whether HBV infection and the HBx protein could result in macular degeneration (MD) is not known. The aim of this study is to assess the association and underlying mechanisms between HBV infection and MD.

Methods

The National Health Research Institutes in Taiwan built a large database, the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD), which includes the claims data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance (NHI) program. The Taiwan NHI is a single-payer, compulsory health insurance program for Taiwan citizens. The data for the present study were derived from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database, which contains the c

SUBMITTER: Chou RH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6086029 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature