Chronic hepatitis B virus infection: clinical characteristics and antiviral therapy

Abstract

Objective. Based on the study of clinical and laboratory parameters, to identify groups of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection who need antiviral therapy, and to evaluate the effectiveness of tenofovir treatment.Materials and methods. The study group included 234 patients with various forms of chronic HBV infection. Сlinical data, blood laboratory parameters (biochemical blood test, complete blood count, coagulogram, serum HBV DNA level), liver fibrosis stage were studied.Results. Currently, chronic HBV infection is more common in the age group of 30-39 years (35.5%), and is more prevalent in males (73.1%). Advanced liver fibrosis (stage F2 and higher) was found in 38.4% of patients, and liver cirrhosis – in 19.8%. Patients were predominantly HBeAg-negative (86.8%), they had lower serum aminotransferase levels (p=0.03) and DNA HBV viral load (p<0.001) as compared with HBeAg-positive ones. HBsAg-negative (occult) chronic HBV infection is detected in 1.3% patients and may occur with progressing liver disease.Conclusion. The clinical and laboratory characteristics of the patients with chronic HBV infection have been presented, indications for antiviral therapy in 48.7% of the patients have been determined. Antiviral tenofovir therapy allows to achieve a biochemical and virological response in most patients, but due to its indefinite duration and high cost, the question of adherence to the therapy is crucial.