Hepatitis B infection is a known complication among hemodialysis (HD) patients, because of their impaired cellular and humoral response and because of increased exposure to blood products. Hepatitis B vaccine is known to be effective in producing protection against hepatitis B virus in HD patients, however the antibody response or seroconversion is variable and very little information is available about the factors contributing to the reduced antibody response to Hepatitis B vaccination. This study attempts to determine the seroconversion rate and to identify factors associated with a positive response to hepatitis B vaccination among HD patients in Makati Medical Center.

A retrospective study was done among HD patients at the Kidney Unit of the Makati Medical Center from 1998 to 2002. A total of 32 patients qualified in the study Baseline and post-vaccination anti-HBs antibody tilers were monitored. Age, gender, dose, serum albumin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), timing of vaccination, concomitant hepatitis C infection and diabetes mellitus (DM) were correlated and developed anti-HBs antibody titer.

Ten out of 32 patients seroconverted and developed anti-HBs liters post-vaccination, wilh seroconversion rate of 31.3 percent. Gender, dose, concomitant DM and Hepatitis C infection did not show any correlation with regards to anti-Hbs titer post vaccination. Age showed a trend lo correlate negatively with anti-Hbs tilers. Higher levels of BUN, albumin and longer interval between first dialysis and vaccination all trend lo correlate with higher anti-Hbs tiler. Test of significance of all parameters however failed lo meet p value < 0.05. None of Ihe parameters proved predictive of negative or positive response to vaccination. (Author)

Makati Medical Center Proceedings, 2004 (18) pages 10-15