In:
Intervirology, S. Karger AG, Vol. 48, No. 6 ( 2005), p. 341-349
Abstract:
〈 i 〉 Objective: 〈 /i 〉 The aim of this study was to evaluate retrospectively the long-term effects of lamivudine in 461 Korean patients with chronic hepatitis B who were treated for more than 12 months. 〈 i 〉 Methods: 〈 /i 〉 The annual rates of virological response and breakthrough were examined and the predictive factors for post-treatment relapse in 114 patients who achieved hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) loss or seroconversion after lamivudine therapy were also analyzed. 〈 i 〉 Results: 〈 /i 〉 During follow-up, the rates of HBeAg seroconversion after 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years of treatment were 22.9, 33.2, 47.6, 54.2 and 58.8%, respectively, while those for virological breakthrough at 1, 2, 3 and 4 years were 8.2, 41.7, 55.7 and 64.8%, respectively. Ninety-five patients (20.6%) had HBeAg seroconversion and 19 (4.1%) showed HBeAg loss alone with disappearance of hepatitis B virus DNA in serum. Seroconversion was higher with prolonged treatment in patients who had elevated serum alanine aminotransferase. The cumulative relapse rates in the seroconversion group were 52.0 and 55.7% 1 and 2 years after treatment, respectively. Age and the duration of additional treatment were significant predictive factors for post-treatment relapse. Patients aged ≤40 who had additional treatment for 〉 12 months after seroconversion had the lowest relapse rate (p 〈 0.001). 〈 i 〉 Conclusions: 〈 /i 〉 These results suggest that additional treatment for over 12 months after HBeAg seroconversion in younger patients may produce a better long-term outcome.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0300-5526
,
1423-0100
Language:
English
Publisher:
S. Karger AG
Publication Date:
2005
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1482863-7
SSG:
12
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