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Combining the HBsAg decline and HBV DNA levels predicts clinical outcomes in patients with spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim was to investigate whether the quantitation of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels can predict HBV reactivation and advanced liver disease after spontaneous hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion.

Methods

A total of 121 patients who experienced spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion were included in this longitudinal study. Serial HBsAg and HBV DNA levels were measured before and after HBeAg seroconversion.

Results

Of the 121 patients, 32 experienced HBV reactivation and six achieved an HBsAg loss after HBeAg seroconversion during the follow-up period. The decline in the HBsAg level was considerably more pronounced in patients without HBV reactivation when compared to those with HBV reactivation (p = 0.016). Multivariate analysis revealed that the age of >40 years at HBeAg seroconversion, male sex, and HBsAg decline, and HBV DNA levels at month 12 after HBeAg seroconversion were independent factors for the development of HBeAg-negative hepatitis. All the six patients who achieved HBsAg loss had HBsAg level of <1,000 IU/mL at month 12 after HBeAg seroconversion (p < 0.001). The risk of HBeAg-negative hepatitis, cirrhosis, and HCC was substantially increased in patients who had a combination of both, i.e., no decline in the HBsAg level and HBV DNA level of >104 copies/mL at month 12 after HBeAg seroconversion.

Conclusions

Combining HBsAg reduction and HBV DNA levels at month 12 after HBeAg seroconversion was a useful marker to predict clinical outcomes in spontaneous HBeAg seroconverters. HBsAg level of <1,000 IU/mL at month 12 after HBeAg seroconversion could predict the HBsAg loss after HBeAg seroconversion.

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Acknowledgements

The present study was supported by a grant (No. CMRPG890031) from the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, 123 Ta Pei Road, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

    Shih-Cheng Yang, Sheng-Nan Lu, Chuan-Mo Lee, Tsung-Hui Hu, Jing-Houng Wang, Chao-Hung Hung, Chi-Sin Changchien & Chien-Hung Chen

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  1. Shih-Cheng Yang
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  2. Sheng-Nan Lu
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Correspondence to Chien-Hung Chen.

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Yang, SC., Lu, SN., Lee, CM. et al. Combining the HBsAg decline and HBV DNA levels predicts clinical outcomes in patients with spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion. Hepatol Int 7, 489–499 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12072-012-9382-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12072-012-9382-3

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