Influence of age and HBeAg status on the correlation between HBV DNA and hepatic inflammation and fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B patients.

Abstract

AIMS:

The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between serum HBV DNA level and the severity of hepatic inflammation and fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

METHODS:

Liver function, serological markers of HBV and serum HBV DNA quantification were assayed in 215 CHB patients who also underwent liver biopsy. Liver pathology was regarded as the evaluation criteria to evaluate the correlation between serum HBV DNA level and the severity of liver inflammation and fibrosis.

RESULTS:

Of the 215 patients, 136 were HBeAg-positive and 79 were HBeAg-negative; 134 patients had mild hepatic inflammation and fibrosis and 81 had significant hepatic inflammation and fibrosis in pathological diagnosis. We found that positive correlation between the severity of hepatic inflammation and fibrosis and serum HBV DNA level was only present in HBeAg-negative patients but not HBeAg-positive patients (P < 0.001). Patients' age was a key factor influencing the correlation between serum HBV DNA level and the severity of hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. the cutoff values to predict the severity of hepatic inflammation and fibrosis were 33.5 and 36 years, respectively. Using 35 years as the cutoff value, positive correlation between serum HBV DNA level and hepatic inflammation and fibrosis was observed in both HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative patients aged ≥ 35 years (P < 0.05), however no correlation was observed in HBeAg-positive patients aged <35 years.

CONCLUSIONS:

There was positive correlation between serum HBV DNA level and hepatic inflammation and fibrosis in both HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative patients' aged ≥ 35 years, but in patients aged <35 years, positive correlation was only observed in HBeAg-negative patients.

• Authors: Han Bai, Hongbo Liu, Xiaokai Chen, Chan Xu, Xiaoguang Dou
• Journal: Digestive diseases and sciences (Dig Dis Sci) Vol. 58 Issue 5 Pg. 1355-62 (May 2013) ISSN: 1573-2568 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 23179154 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• DNA, Viral
• Hepatitis B e Antigens

Topics

• Adult
• Age Factors
• Biopsy
• DNA, Viral (blood)
• Female
• Fibrosis
• Hepatitis B e Antigens (blood)
• Hepatitis B virus (immunology)
• Hepatitis B, Chronic (blood, immunology, pathology)
• Humans
• Liver (pathology)
• Liver Function Tests
• Male
• Middle Aged
• ROC Curve
• Young Adult