Efficacy and safety of telbivudine in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B

Objective:To observe the efficacy and safety of telbivudine in the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis B.Methods:Patients with chronic hepatitis B(n=216)were randomly divided into two groups.The patients were treated with basic treatments(control);or with oral telbivudine(600 mg,qd)for one year in addition of the same basic treatments.The levels of serum ALT and HBV DNA were detected in all the patients before and after the treatments.In addition,the conversion of HBeAg into HBeAb and the clinical effects were observed.For pathological examination,the liver tissues from patients in telbivudine group were taken by needle biopsy before and after the treatments,and in the follow-up period.Results:The recovery rate of serum ALT was 78.6% and 73.1% in telbivudine and control groups(P0.05).Serum HBV DNA was converted from positive to negative in some patients after the treatments,which was significantly higher(71.4% vs 5.8%,P0.01)in telbivudine group than in control group.The conversion rate of HBeAg to HBeAb was also higher(26.8% vs 3.8%,P0.01)in telbivudine group.In mild,moderate and severe patients,HBV DNA conversion rates were 50%,80.8% and 78.6,and HBeAg/HBeAb conversion rates were 9.4%,32.7% and 35.7%.Few adverse reactions were observed overall the treatment duration.The inflammation in liver tissues was significantly attenuated in 76.8% patients.Conclusion:Telbivudine can rapidly and effectively inhibit the replication of HBV DNA,and attenuate the liver tissue inflammation;the drug is safe as well.[