Efficacy of Entecavir therapy in decompensated HBV cirrhosis

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of Entecavir therapy in decompensated HBV cirrhosis.Methods We retrospectively collected the data of 64 HBeAg positive decompensated HBV cirrhosis(Child-Pugh score≥7): 32 case were treated with entecavir 0.5mg/day once daily for 72 weeks,the remaining 32 were not treated with nucleoside analogues.Efficacy assessments include mean change from baseline in serum HBV DNA and the proportions of patients achieving HBV-DNA 500 IU/ml and ALT normalization.Changes in Child-Turcotte-Pugh(CTP) score and liver function improvement(serum albumin,total bilirubin and prothombin time) were also evaluated.Results Entecavir treatment for 72 weeks resulted in improved CTP scores and liver functions.19 of entecavir-treatment patients achieved CTP class A and 29 showed improvement in the CTP score of 2 points after 72 weeks of entecavir.The rates of HBV DNA negativity,HBeAg seroconversion/loss and ALT normalization at 72 weeks were significant differences for two groups.The 72 weeks cumulative rates of HBV DNA negativity and HBeAg loss were 75% and 21.9% in entecavir-treatment patients,respectively.Conclusions Entecavir therapy was effective in decompensated HBV cirrhosis patients.In addition,it improved underlying liver function in decompensated patients.