Gi-Ae Kim1,2, Seungbong Han3, Gwang Hyeon Choi1,4, Jonggi Choi1, Young-Suk Lim1. 1. Department of Gastroenterology, Liver Center, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 2. Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 3. Department of Applied Statistics, Gachon University, Seongnam, Republic of Korea. 4. Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Republic of Korea.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Studies have shown a higher risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with higher baseline serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. However, the association between very high HBV DNA levels (>6 log10 IU/mL) and HCC risk remains unclear, especially in middle-aged and old HBeAg-positive patients. AIM: To identify the association between broad-range HBV DNA levels and HCC risk. METHODS: We conducted a historical cohort study in Korea involving 6949 non-cirrhotic, treatment-naïve CHB patients with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) <2× upper limit of normal for >1 year. HBV DNA was >6 log10 IU/mL in 2029 (29.2%) patients. Follow-up was censored when the antiviral therapy was initiated. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 45 years. During 8.0 years of median follow-up, 363 patients (5.2%) developed HCC. By multivariable Cox regression analysis, HCC risk was highest with baseline HBV DNA levels of 6-7 log10 IU/mL (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 4.98; P < 0.001), and lowest with >8 log10 IU/mL (aHR 0.90; P = 0.71) and ≤4 log10 IU/mL (aHR 1.00; reference), which was independent of other predictive factors. The similar association between HBV DNA levels and HCC risk was consistently observed in all age subgroups (age <40, 40-49 and ≥ 50 years). CONCLUSIONS: HCC risk was highest with moderate serum HBV DNA levels of 6-7 log10 IU/mL in CHB patients without significant ALT elevation. Extending treatment indication to CHB patients with moderate levels of HBV DNA may be considered to further prevent HCC, regardless of ALT levels.
BACKGROUND: Studies have shown a higher risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with higher baseline serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. However, the association between very high HBV DNA levels (>6 log10 IU/mL) and HCC risk remains unclear, especially in middle-aged and old HBeAg-positive patients. AIM: To identify the association between broad-range HBV DNA levels and HCC risk. METHODS: We conducted a historical cohort study in Korea involving 6949 non-cirrhotic, treatment-naïve CHBpatients with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) <2× upper limit of normal for >1 year. HBV DNA was >6 log10 IU/mL in 2029 (29.2%) patients. Follow-up was censored when the antiviral therapy was initiated. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 45 years. During 8.0 years of median follow-up, 363 patients (5.2%) developed HCC. By multivariable Cox regression analysis, HCC risk was highest with baseline HBV DNA levels of 6-7 log10 IU/mL (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 4.98; P < 0.001), and lowest with >8 log10 IU/mL (aHR 0.90; P = 0.71) and ≤4 log10 IU/mL (aHR 1.00; reference), which was independent of other predictive factors. The similar association between HBV DNA levels and HCC risk was consistently observed in all age subgroups (age <40, 40-49 and ≥ 50 years). CONCLUSIONS:HCC risk was highest with moderate serum HBV DNA levels of 6-7 log10 IU/mL in CHBpatients without significant ALT elevation. Extending treatment indication to CHBpatients with moderate levels of HBV DNA may be considered to further prevent HCC, regardless of ALT levels.