ObjectiveTo study the value of hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) in the evaluation of antiviral efficacy and its influencing factors under a complex population background resulting from various nationalities in Xinjiang. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) admitted and administrated with nucleot(s)ide analogues (NAs) for the first time in Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from January 2012 to August 2013. The biological, virological, and serological responses were analyzed as well as the possible factors related to HBsAg levels and its reduction levels. ResultsThere were 63 CHB patients enrolled. After 48 weeks' treatment, all patients achieved biological response, and 59 of them achieved complete virological response in spite of 4 patients with partial response. In all the 30 hepatitis B virus e antigen (HBeAg) positive patients, 5 achieved HBeAg seroconversion. After correlation and regression analysis, it turned out that the history (P=0.033) and HBeAg levels at week 48 (P<0.001) were independent impact factors for HBsAg level at week 48. And the reduction degree of HBsAg at week 48 was influenced by HBsAg at week 48. In 21 patients counting to week 72 maintaining biological response, 18 achieved complete virological response. Unfortunately, all 8 HBeAg positive patients encountered no HBeAg loss or seroconversion. After correlation and regression analysis, it turned out that HBsAg level at week 72 was influenced by HBsAg at week 48 (r=0.700, P<0.001). And the decline degree of HBsAg at week 72 was related to baseline HBsAg level. ConclusionSatisfactory efficacy can be achieved via NAs treatment in CHB patients. But when HBsAg is used separately as an indicator for therapeutic efficacy, we should be aware that intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) is not only the impact factor of HBsAg variation, the history, the variations of HBeAg and HBsAg itself during the treatment should also be considered.
ObjectiveTo observe the impact of antiviral therapy on prognosis in patients after curative resection for hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MethodsThe data of 50 patients who had undergone liver resection for HBV-related HCC in our department from August 2008 to June 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups:21 patients who had not antiviral therapy (untreated group) and 29 patients who received antiviral therapy using nucleotide analogues (antiviral therapy group). ResultsAfter radical resection of HCC, the disease-free survival rate of 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year were 72.4%, 58.6%, and 31.0% in antiviral therapy group and 61.9%, 38.1%, and 14.3% in untreated group, respectively. The overall survival rate of 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year were 86.2%, 68.9%, and 55.2% in antiviral therapy group and 71.4%, 47.6%, and 28.6% in untreated group, respectively. The cumulative disease-free survival rate and overall survival rate of antiviral therapy group were significantly higher than those in the untreated group (P < 0.05). Univariate analysis revealed that the number of tumor, antiviral therapy, and TNM staging were risk factor for tumor-free survival rate, The tumor size, the number of tumor, antiviral therapy, and TNM staging were risk factor for overall survival rate. Multivariate analysis revealed that the number of tumor and TNM staging were independent risk factor for tumor-free survival rate (OR:2.95, 95% CI:1.502-6.114, P < 0.05; OR:4.12, 95% CI:1.972-8.960, P < 0.05), the antiviral therapy and TNM staging were independent risk factor for overall survival rate (OR:3.86, 95% CI:1.745-7.028, P < 0.05; OR:5.17, 95% CI:2.356-11.479, P < 0.05). ConclusionUsing nucleotide analogs antiviral therapy may improve the prognosis after resection of patients with HBV-related HCC.
Objective To assess the efficacy between Peginterferon α-2a and common Interferon in HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis B. Methods MEDLINE, EBSCO, PubMed, CNKI, WangFang were searched from the beginning to May 2009, and the references of eligible studies were manually screened. Randomized controlled trials comparing Peginterferon-alpha2a with common interferon in HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis B were eligible for inclusion. Jadad score method was adopted to evaluate the methodological quality of included studies. Meta analysis was conducted by RevMan 5.0 software supplied by the Cochrane Collaboration. Subgroup analyses were used in treatment and observation course. Results Six randomized controlled trials were included (n=688). The treatment duration of 48 weeks and 24 weeks were reported in four and two studies, respectively. We carried out subgroup analysis according to treatment. Meta-analysis showed that Peginterferon-alpha2a (180 ug/d, 48 W) could significantly clear HBeAg, clear HBVDNA, normalize ALT and HBeAg seroconversion compared with common Interferon (Plt;0.05). Peginterferon-alpha2a (180 ug/d, 24 W) could effectively clear HBV DNA [P=0.04, RR=1.44, 95%CI (1.01, 2.05)], but was not effective in loss of HBeAg, HBeAg seroconversion and ALT normalization (Pgt;0.05). Conclusion The efficacy of 48 weeks treatment with Peginterferon α-2a is better than common Interferon. The efficacy of 24 weeks treatment with Peginterferon α-2a is only better in HBV-DNA negative rate than common Interferon. However, because the methodological quality of included studies is not high, this conclusion should be carefully considered in clinical use.
ObjectiveTo investigate the needs for health education in chronic hepatitis B patients, in order to provide a theoretical basis for taking pertinent nursing intervention. MethodsBetween July and December 2011, self-made questionnaires on the needs for health education were used to investigate 70 in-patients with chronic hepatitis B. Meanwhile, factors associated with the needs of health education such as age, education, and the course of the disease were also analyzed. ResultsThe differences in the needs of health education were statistically significant among patients with different cultures, ages, and courses of disease (P<0.01). The needs of health education were correlated with culture, age and courses of disease. ConclusionThere are some deficiencies in the health education for chronic hepatitis B patients. In clinical practice, health education should be multidimensional and continuous based on the age, education degree and the course of the disease.
Objective?To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Gansu for chronic hepatitis B. Methods?We searched The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CCTR), PubMed, EMbase, CBM, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang databases up to Dce. 2009. The methodological quality assessment and data extraction of the included studies were conducted by two reviewers independently according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Meta-analyses were performed for homogeneous studies using RevMan 4.2.10 software. Results?A total of 14 studies involving 1 755 patients met the inclusion criteria. Of which, 12 studies did not report randomization method, and the other two studies reported inadequate methods of randomization. None of the studies enforced allocation concealment and performed blinding. We conducted subgroup analyses based on the outcome measures and interventions. The results of meta-analyses showed: (1) In terms of reducing ALT, Gansu + conventional therapy was superior to conventional therapy alone. (2) In terms of the HBsAg seroconversion rate, no significant difference was found between the two groups. (3) In terms of the HBeAg, no significant difference was found between the two groups at 3 months’ follow-up. (4) In terms of the HBV-DNA, Gansu + conventional therapy was superior to conventional therapy alone at 3 and 6 months’ follow-up, but theses differences were not found between Gansu + Lamivudine/ Adefovir and Lamivudine/ Adefovir alone. In terms of reducing the index of hepatic fibrosis, Gansu + conventional therapy was superior to conventional therapy alone. Conclusion?Gansu might be effective in normalizing ALT levels, clearing HBV DNA, achieving virus seroconversion and improving hepatic fibrosis, without any serious adverse effects. However, because the overall effects cannot be pooled for analysis, more evidence is needed to support this finding.
Objective To explore the relationship between the level of serum ferritin (SF) and liver damage in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Methods The concentration of serum ferritin of 98 patients with CHB from July to October 2014 was measured, and then correlation analysis was performed to analyze the correlation between SF and such indexes as serum tumor marker α-fetoprotein, biochemical markers [alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), total protein (TP), albumin and total bilirubin (TBIL)], and hepatitis B serum markers (hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis B surface antibody, hepatitis B e antigen, hepatitis B e antibody, and hepatitis B core antigen). Serum hepatitis B virus DNA (HBV-DNA) viral load was also tested, and then the discrepancy of SF levels in the high and low viral load groups was analyzed. Results The average concentration of the abnormally elevated SF was (878.69±837.98) ng/mL. The SF mean difference between low-load HBV-DNA and high-load HBV-DNA was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Serum ferritin levels were independently and positively correlated with ALT, AST, and TBIL (P < 0.01) and inversely correlated with TP and albumin (P < 0.01). Conclusion The rise of SF is associated with liver damage, which can reflect the state of inflammation of patients with CHB.
ObjectiveAntiviral treatments could benefit chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with the regression or improvement of liver fibrosis. However, the degree of dynamic change of liver fibrosis for patients who had not received antiviral treatment remained to be studied. The current study aimed to observe the long-term variation of liver stiffness measurement (LSM), virological and biochemical response on patients without standard antiviral therapy.MethodsA total of 220 patients who were diagnosed with chronic HBV infection, who had not reached the standard of antiviral therapy, and completed a follow-up date of over 2 years in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University from 2012 to 2018 were retrospectively enrolled. According to the changes of LSM in baseline and follow-up period, the patients were divided into regression group, non-progressive group, and progressive group. The virological and biochemical characteristics of each group were analyzed.ResultsAmong the 220 patients, 153 patients (69.5%) had no progress in LSM degree. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), HBV DNA, and HBsAg in a few patients increased or slightly decreased, while the vast majority remained in a relatively stable state. 89.5% (137/153) of the non-progressive patients were in grade F0. In addition, 58 patients showed spontaneous improvement with a decreasing rate of 0.460 kPa per year. Patients with ALT of 1-2 ULN had a statistically significant decrease in LSM improvement compared to patients with normal ALT. 82.8% of the LSM-improving patients showed baseline LSM of F1-F3. Only 9 patients showed LSM deterioration, however, which could not be explained by virus replication or necroinflammatory activity. ConclusionsFor patients unsatisfying standard antiviral therapy, most patients with baseline LSM of F0 grade fail to progress, and patients with baseline LSM of F1-F3 show a decrease during follow-up, LSM progression occurs in 4.1% of patients.
Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine (PPC) for chronic hepatitis. Methods We searched EMBASE (1980May,2003), MEDLINE(1966May,2003), CBM (1979May,2003), The Cochrane Library Issue 2, 2003 and handsearched 8 related Chinese journals. Randomized controlled trials(RCT) comparing PPC versus placebo/no treatment for chronic hepatitis were included with no restrictions of blinding, language and publication. Two reviewers independently performed data extraction and assessed the quality . Data were entered and analyzed by RevMan 4.2 software supplied by the Cochrane Collaboration .Results Six high quality trials involving 568 patients were included. Four studies involving 451 patients showed the clinical effective rate of PPC for chronic hepatitis was 52.5% while the control group was 37.5% with statistical difference [RR1.81,95%CI(1.41,2.33),Z=4.69, Plt;0.00001].A meta-analysis involving three studies with 100 patients showed the PPC can statically improve histopathology of chronic hepatitis comparing with control group [RR 2.58,95%CI (1.61,4.15),Z=3.91,Plt;0.0001].No serious adverse events were reported.Conclusions PPC is a safe medicine used for treating chronic viral hepatitis and may relieve clinical symptoms and signs.At the same time ,it has positive effect on hepatic histopathology for patients .However ,more high quality clinical trials are required.
Objectives To conduct a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of thymosin-α1 for HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B. Methods We searched MEDLINE, Science Citation Index, Current Content Connect, Cochrane Controlled Trial Register and Chinese Biomedical Database (CBMdisc) to September 15, 2005, and screened the references of eligible trials by hand-searching. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing thymosin-α1 with non-antiviral interventions (placebo, no treatment and standard care) in patients with HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis B were eligible for inclusion. We conducted quality assessment and data extraction by two independent investigators with disagreement resolved by discussion. We used chi-square test and Galbraith plot to detect the heterogeneity, and used fixed (Mantel-Haenzel) and random effect model (DerSimonian-Laird) to pool the trials. When the results in two models differed, the results of random effect were reported. Subgroup analysis was performed to detect whether the duration affected the efficacy of thymosin. Results Four RCTs were included. It was found that the rate of loss of HBeAg was 38.8% in thymosin, significantly higher than that of 12.4% in control groups (RR 2.22, 95%CI 1.55 to 3.21, P=0.000). Loss of HBV-DNA was 36.9% in thymosin-α1, significantly higher than that of 13.8% in control groups (RR 2.18, 95%CI 1.50 to 3.17, P=0.000). Both short-duration (8-13 weeks) and regular duration (26-52 weeks) of thymosin-α1 achieved higher loss of HBeAg and HBV-DNA. The complete response rate was 32.3% in thymosin-α1, significantly higher than the control, 11.3% (RR 2.91, 95%CI 1.71 to 4.94, P=0.000). No statistical significance was found for HBeAg seroconversion and ALT normalization. No significant adverse drug reactions were found. Conclusions Thymosin-α1 might be efficacious in loss of HBeAg and HBV-DNA, and complete response for patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B. Little evidence was available on HBeAg seroconversion, normalization of ALT, loss of HBsAg, and histological response. Further high-quality RCTs were needed for confirmation.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the diagnostic value of FibroScan for the staging of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B. MethodsWe searched the PubMed, EMbase, Web of Knowledge, CBM, WanFang Data and CNKI databases for studies investigated the diagnostic value of FibroScan for hepatic fibrosis B from Jan. 1st, 2003 to Aug. 31st, 2013. Two reviewers independently screened literature according to the exclusion and inclusion criteria, extracted data and assessed methodological quality of included studies. Then, Stata 13.0 software was used to analyze the data. ResultsA total of 15 studies involving 2 588 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that:the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio and the AUC of SROC were 0.77 (95%CI 0.69 to 0.83), 0.84 (95%CI 0.70 to 0.87), 3.8 (95%CI 2.6 to 5.6), 0.29 (95%CI 0.22 to 0.38), 13 (95%CI 8 to 21), 0.82 (95%CI 0.82 to 0.88) for hepatic fibrosis; and were 0.81 (95%CI 0.73 to 0.87), 0.89 (95%CI 0.86 to 0.92), 7.5 (95%CI 5.3 to 10.3), 0.21 (95%CI 0.14 to 0.31), 36 (95%CI 20 to 65), 0.93 (95%CI 0.90 to 0.95) for early hepatic cirrhosis, respectively. ConclusionThe current evidence suggests that FibroScan is of good accuracy in the diagnosis of early hepatic fibrosis but not for hepatic cirrhosis in patient with chronic hepatitis B.