[Clinical outcomes of lamivudine therapy in HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis B with minimally elevated ALT].

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS:

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of lamivudine therapy between chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, whose ALT levels less than 2 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) and patients whose ALT levels are more than 2 times ULN.

METHODS:

We retrospectively analyzed 508 consecutive patients with HBeAg-positive CHB who were treated with lamivudine for 1 year or more. Forty-six patients (Group A) with pretreatment ALT levels less than 2 times ULN were retrospectively compared with 462 patients (Group B) whose ALT levels are more than 2 times ULN.

RESULTS:

HBeAg seroconversion was achieved in 15 (32.6%) of group A and 162 (35.1%) of group B. The cumulative rates of HBeAg seroconversion in group A and B were 19% and 21% at 12 months; 35% and 31% at 24 months; and 38% and 39% at 36 months, respectively. HBV breakthrough was observed in 20 (43.5%) of group A and 192 (41.6%) of group B. The cumulative breakthrough rates of group A and B were 18% and 12% at 12 months; 33% and 29 % at 18 months; 45% and 42% at 24 months, respectively. Post-treatment relapse in group A and B occurred in 56% (5/9) and 41% (44/108), respectively. Therefore, the rates of the HBeAg seroconversion, breakthrough, and post-treatment relapse were not significantly different between these two groups.

CONCLUSIONS:

Lamivudine therapy in HBeAg-positive CHB patients whose ALT levels are minimally elevated is as effective as in treatment of the patients whose pretreated ALT levels are twice more than ULN.

• Authors: Dong Ha Han, Neung Hwa Park, Jung Woo Shin, Seok Won Jung, Young Tae Hwang, Hyun Soo Kim, In Du Jeong, Sung Jo Bang, Do Ha Kim
• Journal: The Korean journal of hepatology (Korean J Hepatol) Vol. 13 Issue 2 Pg. 146-56 (Jun 2007) ISSN: 1738-222X [Print] Korea (South)
• PMID: 17585188 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antiviral Agents
• Hepatitis B e Antigens
• Lamivudine
• Alanine Transaminase

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Alanine Transaminase (analysis)
• Antiviral Agents (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Drug Resistance, Viral
• Female
• Hepatitis B e Antigens (analysis)
• Hepatitis B, Chronic (diagnosis, drug therapy)
• Humans
• Lamivudine (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Prognosis
• Treatment Outcome