Evidence map›Paper›PMID 25548741›Full record

ArticleClinical and molecular hepatology2014

Is it necessary to delay antiviral therapy for 3-6 months to anticipate HBeAg seroconversion in patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B in endemic areas of HBV genotype C?

Byung-Cheol Song, Yoo-Kyung Cho, Hyeyoung Jwa, Eun Kwang Choi, Heung Up Kim, Hyun Joo Song, Soo-Young Na, Sun-Jin Boo, Seung Uk Jeong

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Article in Clinical and molecular hepatology, 2014. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. An erratum has been issued. Cited by 5 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Byung-Cheol SongDepartment of Internal Medicine, Jeju National University School of Medicine, Jeju, Korea.
Yoo-Kyung ChoDepartment of Internal Medicine, Jeju National University School of Medicine, Jeju, Korea.
Hyeyoung JwaDepartment of Internal Medicine, Jeju National University School of Medicine, Jeju, Korea.
Eun Kwang ChoiDepartment of Internal Medicine, Jeju National University School of Medicine, Jeju, Korea.
Heung Up KimDepartment of Internal Medicine, Jeju National University School of Medicine, Jeju, Korea.
Hyun Joo SongDepartment of Internal Medicine, Jeju National University School of Medicine, Jeju, Korea.
Soo-Young NaDepartment of Internal Medicine, Jeju National University School of Medicine, Jeju, Korea.
Sun-Jin BooDepartment of Internal Medicine, Jeju National University School of Medicine, Jeju, Korea.
Seung Uk JeongDepartment of Internal Medicine, Jeju National University School of Medicine, Jeju, Korea.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND/

aimsSpontaneous HBeAg seroconversion occurs frequently in the immune reactive phase in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Therefore, observation for 3-6 months before commencing antiviral therapy is recommended in patients with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels that exceed twice the upper limit of normal (ULN). However, HBeAg seroconversion occurs infrequently in patients infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype C. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the waiting policy is necessary in endemic areas of HBV genotype C infection.

methodsNinety patients with HBeAg-positive CHB were followed prospectively without administering antiviral therapy for 6 months. Antiviral therapy was initiated promptly at any time if there was any evidence of biochemical (i.e., acute exacerbation of HBV infection or aggravation of jaundice) or symptomatic deterioration. After 6 months of observation, antiviral therapy was initiated according to the patient's ALT and HBV DNA levels.

resultsOnly one patient (1.1%) achieved spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion. Biochemical and symptomatic deterioration occurred before 6 months in 17 patients (18.9%) and 5 patients, respectively. High ALT and HBV DNA levels were both independent risk factors for biochemical deterioration. Of 15 patients with HBV DNA ≥ 5.1 × 10(7) IU/mL and ALT ≥ 5 × ULN, biochemical deterioration occurred in 7 (46.7%), including 1 patient receiving liver transplantation due to liver failure.

conclusionsSpontaneous HBeAg seroconversion in patients with HBeAg-positive CHB is rare within 6 months. Biochemical deterioration was common and may lead to liver failure. Immediate antiviral therapy should be considered, especially in patients with high ALT and HBV DNA levels in endemic areas of genotype C infection.

Indexed as

AdultAlanine TransaminaseAntiviral AgentsDNA, ViralFemaleFollow-Up StudiesGenotypeGuanineHepatitis B, ChronicHepatitis B e AntigensHepatitis B virusHumansMaleMiddle AgedProspective StudiesRisk FactorsAlanine TransaminaseAntiviral AgentsDNA, ViralentecavirGuanineHepatitis B e Antigensacute exacerbation of hepatitis B, HBV genotypeHepatitis B virus, chronic hepatitis B

Identifiers

PMID25548741
PMCPMC4278066

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