Efficacy of antiviral treatment in chronic HBV infected patients with mild hepatic dysfunction and marked pathological injury

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of entecavir treatment in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infected patients with mild hepatic dysfunction and marked pathological injury. Methods One hundred and fifty five chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with HBV DNA>1.0×104 U/mL admitted in Lishui People's Hospital during January 2008 to October 2011 were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into three groups: those with serum ALT 5×ULN were in control group 2 (n=42). All patients were given entecavir (0.5 mg, 1/d, p. o) treatment. ALT normalization rates, HBV DNA negative rates, HBeAg negative conversion rates and seroconversion rates at 12-, 24-, 48-, 96- and 144-week were observed and compared among groups. Variance analysis and χ2 test were performed for measurement data and numeration data, respectively. Results ALT normalization rates in observation group were 86.7%, 90.7%, 90.7%, 92.0% and 96.0% at 12-, 24-, 48-, 96- and 144-week, which were higher than those in control group 1 (χ2=2.04, 2.15, 2.78, 2.69 and 2.47, P 0.05). HBV DNA negative rates in observation group were 70.7%, 78.7% and 82.7% at 12-, 24- and 48-week, which were higher than those in control group 1 (χ2=4.56, 4.23 and 4.28, P 0.05). HBeAg negative conversion rates in observation group were 6.6%, 21.3% and 25.3% at 48-, 96-, and 144-week, which were higher than those in control group 1 (χ2=4.68, 4.78 and 5.01, P 0.05). HBeAg seroconversion rate in observation group was 4.0% at 24-week, which were higher than that in control group 1 (χ2=2.87, P<0.05), but the seroconversion rates at 96- and 144-week were lower than those in control group 2 (χ2=2.92 and 3.14, P<0.05). Conclusion The efficacy of entecavir treatment for HBV infected patients with mild hepatic dysfunction and marked pathological injury is satisfactory. Key words: Hepatitis B, chronic; Entecavir; Biopsy; Antiviral agents