Durability of antiviral response in hbeag-positive chronic hepatitis b patients who maintained virologic response for one year after lamivudine discontinuation

Ji Hoon Kim, Sun Jae Lee, Moon Kyung Joo, Chung Ho Kim, Jong Hwan Choi, Young Kul Jung, Hyung Joon Yim, Jong Eun Yeon, Jong Jae Park, Jae Seon Kim, Young Tae Bak, Kwan Soo Byun

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine the long-term relapse rate and associated risk factors in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients who had maintained virologic response (VR) for 1 year after lamivudine (LMV) discontinuation. We enrolled 55 treatment-naive HBeAg-positive CHB patients who achieved and maintained VR until 1 year after LMV discontinuation. Delayed relapse was defined as an elevation of HBV DNA after sustained VR for 1 year. During follow-up, 16 of 55 patients (29%) showed delayed relapse. Beginning 1 year after LMV discontinuation, the cumulative rates of relapse after 2 and 4 years were 29 and 44%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, age (P = 0.029) and >2,000 copies/ml HBV DNA 3 months after LMV discontinuation (P = 0.047) were significant predictors of delayed relapse. Delayed relapse is not infrequent, even in patients who maintain VR for 1 year after LMV discontinuation. Therefore, LMV maintenance therapy might be considered in HBeAg-positive CHB patients who achieve VR.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1572-1577
Number of pages6
JournalDigestive Diseases and Sciences
Volume54
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009 Jul
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Acknowledgments This work was supported by the Korea University Grant (K0823371).

Keywords

  • Chronic hepatitis B
  • Durability
  • Lamivudine
  • Relapse
  • Response

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology
  • Gastroenterology

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