BACKGROUND/AIMS: Lamivudine-induced hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion in patients with chronic hepatitis B was reported to be durable by several studies but controversy still exists. The aim of this study was to evaluate the durability of the responses of lamivudine treatment. METHODS: Among 53 chronic hepatitis B patients who had acute exacerbation and had finished lamivudine therapy after at least 6 months of treatment, 31 patients achieved full HBeAg seroconversion twice at least 1 month apart, and subsequently stopped lamivudine therapy. Post-treatment monitoring was continued for up to 87 weeks. Alanine transaminase (ALT), HBeAg and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA were used as indicators for relapse. RESULTS: The cumulative relapse rates at 48 and 72 weeks post-treatment were 45.4% and 56.3%, respectively. During follow up, normal ALT levels precluded relapse while ALT levels over two times the upper limit of normal indicated relapse, which correlated well with HBeAg or HBV DNA reappearance. Patients older than 25 years were more likely to experience post-treatment relapse. CONCLUSIONS: Lamivudine-induced full HBeAg seroconversion was not durable in the Taiwanese population. ALT levels were useful for relapse detection. Age was the only independent predictive factor for relapse. Copyright 2002 European Association for the Study of the Liver
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Lamivudine-induced hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion in patients with chronic hepatitis B was reported to be durable by several studies but controversy still exists. The aim of this study was to evaluate the durability of the responses of lamivudine treatment. METHODS: Among 53 chronic hepatitis Bpatients who had acute exacerbation and had finished lamivudine therapy after at least 6 months of treatment, 31 patients achieved full HBeAg seroconversion twice at least 1 month apart, and subsequently stopped lamivudine therapy. Post-treatment monitoring was continued for up to 87 weeks. Alanine transaminase (ALT), HBeAg and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA were used as indicators for relapse. RESULTS: The cumulative relapse rates at 48 and 72 weeks post-treatment were 45.4% and 56.3%, respectively. During follow up, normal ALT levels precluded relapse while ALT levels over two times the upper limit of normal indicated relapse, which correlated well with HBeAg or HBV DNA reappearance. Patients older than 25 years were more likely to experience post-treatment relapse. CONCLUSIONS:Lamivudine-induced full HBeAg seroconversion was not durable in the Taiwanese population. ALT levels were useful for relapse detection. Age was the only independent predictive factor for relapse. Copyright 2002 European Association for the Study of the Liver
Authors: Tse-Ling Fong; Andy Tien; Kahee J Jo; Danny Chu; Eddie Cheung; Edward A Mena; Quang-Quoc Phan; Andy S Yu; Wafa Mohammed; Andrew Velasco; Vinh-Huy LeDuc; Nickolas Nguyen; Steven-Bui Han; Mimi Chang; Ho S Bae; Yong-Won Cho; Myron J Tong; Stewart L Cooper Journal: Dig Dis Sci Date: 2015-07-03 Impact factor: 3.199
Authors: Myeong Jun Song; Do Seon Song; Hee Yeon Kim; Sun Hong Yoo; Si Hyun Bae; Jong Young Choi; Seung Kew Yoon; Yong-Han Paik; June Sung Lee; Hyun Woong Lee; Hyung Joon Kim Journal: World J Gastroenterol Date: 2012-11-21 Impact factor: 5.742