Lower pretreatment HBV DNA levels are associated with better off-treatment outcomes after nucleo(s)tide analogue withdrawal in patients with HBeAg-neegative chronic hepatitis B: A multicentre cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background & aims

Pretreatment predictors of finite nucleo(s)tide analogue (NUC) therapy remain elusive. We studied the association between pretreatment HBV DNA levels and outcomes after therapy cessation.

Methods

Patients with chronic hepatitis B who were HBeAg negative at the start of NUC treatment were enrolled from sites in Asia and Europe. We studied the association between pretreatment HBV DNA levels and (1) clinical relapse (defined as HBV DNA >2,000 IU/ml + alanine aminotransferase >2 × the upper limit of normal or retreatment) and (2) HBsAg loss after NUC withdrawal.

Results

We enrolled 757 patients, 88% Asian, 57% treated with entecavir, with a median duration of treatment of 159 (IQR 156-262) weeks. Mean pretreatment HBV DNA levels were 5.70 (SD 1.5) log IU

SUBMITTER: Sonneveld MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10362794 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature