Abstract | OBJECTIVES: METHODS: A total of 166 patients were included. Liver biochemistry, hepatitis B virus (HBV) serological markers, HBV DNA, and quantitative HBsAg levels were performed at baseline, year 1, and year 2 after commencing entecavir. Additional HBsAg levels were measured at 12 and 24 weeks in patients with available sera. RESULTS: In all, 68 patients were hepatitis B e-antigen ( HBeAg) positive. Age, HBV DNA, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were significantly correlated with HBsAg levels at baseline (r=-0.429, 0.607, and 0.254, respectively, all P<0.05). The correlation with HBV DNA and ALT levels was reduced by entecavir treatment, and was lost after 2 years of treatment. There was an overall decline in HBsAg levels from baseline to year 1 to year 2 (3,377.4 vs. 2,316.5 vs. 1,903.0 IU/ml, respectively, P<0.001). However, at year 2, 102 patients (61%) had no significant changes (<0.5 log difference), 50 (30%) had significant decline (≥0.5 log decrease), whereas 14 (9%) had significant increase (≥0.5 log increase). Of the patients, 151 (91%) had undetectable HBV DNA; 25 (37%) underwent HBeAg seroconversion. Neither HBsAg at baseline nor early decline at weeks 12 or 24 was predictive of HBeAg seroconversion at 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: Despite HBV DNA suppression, the majority did not show significant decline in HBsAg levels. Early decline of HBsAg levels at 12/24 weeks was not associated with HBV DNA suppression or HBeAg seroconversion.
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Authors | James Fung, Ching-Lung Lai, John Young, Danny Ka-Ho Wong, John Yuen, Wai-Kay Seto, Man-Fung Yuen |
Journal | The American journal of gastroenterology
(Am J Gastroenterol)
Vol. 106
Issue 10
Pg. 1766-73
(Oct 2011)
ISSN: 1572-0241 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 21826112
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Antiviral Agents
- Biomarkers
- DNA, Viral
- Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
- Hepatitis B e Antigens
- entecavir
- Guanine
- Alanine Transaminase
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Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Alanine Transaminase
(blood)
- Antiviral Agents
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
- Biomarkers
(blood)
- Cohort Studies
- DNA, Viral
(blood, drug effects)
- Drug Administration Schedule
- Female
- Guanine
(administration & dosage, analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
- Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
(blood)
- Hepatitis B e Antigens
(blood)
- Hepatitis B virus
(genetics, immunology, isolation & purification)
- Hepatitis B, Chronic
(drug therapy, enzymology, immunology)
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Predictive Value of Tests
- Time Factors
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