In:
Hepatology Research, Wiley, Vol. 37, No. 7 ( 2007-07), p. 503-509
Abstract:
Aim: Many studies have reported the therapeutic effects of lamivudine on cirrhotic patients with hepatitis B; however, no study has investigated the morphological changes of esophageal varices after lamivudine treatment. Method: The morphological changes of esophageal varices in patients with cirrhosis were retrospectively compared between 12 patients treated with lamivudine and six historical untreated patients. Results: In the treated group, the HBV DNA and hyaluronic acid (HA) levels in the serum were significantly lower than those in the untreated group ( P = 0.013 and P = 0.009, respectively) at the end of follow‐up, with a significant improvement in the Child–Pugh–Turcotte score ( P = 0.022). In the treated group, the disappearance or reduction of esophageal varices was observed in six (50%) of the 12 patients. In three (25%) of the 12 patients, esophageal varices worsened. In the remaining three patients (25%), there were no changes in esophageal varices. In the untreated group, all patients showed the worsening of esophageal varices during the follow‐up period, with a significant difference between this group and the treated group ( P = 0.009). The serum HA level decreased in the nine treated patients without worsening of esophageal varices. However, in the three patients with worsening, the HA level significantly increased. Conclusion: Lamivudine treatment for patients with cirrhosis improves not only liver function but also esophageal varices.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1386-6346
,
1872-034X
DOI:
10.1111/hep.2007.37.issue-7
DOI:
10.1111/j.1872-034X.2007.00087.x
Language:
English
Publisher:
Wiley
Publication Date:
2007
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2006439-1
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1387041-5
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