STUDY THE BIOCHEMICAL, VIRAL AND LIVER FIBROSIS RESPONSES IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC HEPATITIS B AFTER 12 MONTH-TREATMENT BY ENTECAVIR

Abstract

Introduction: Assessing the histological character liver fibrosis by transient hepatic elastography (TE) by Fibroscan has several advantages when compared with liver biopsy and can indicate repeatedly; therefore it can help us to follow up the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. This study is aimed at assessing the biochemical, viral and liver elasticity responses in patients with chronic hepatitis B after 12 months of entecavir treatment. Methods: Prospective, open, non-controlled study. 75 patients over 16 years old were diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B and treated with Entecavir 0.5 mg orally 2 hours after meal during 12 months. Using Fibroscan to assess the liver fibrosis according to the METAVIR classification. Results: ALT decreased rapidly after 3 months of treatment. There were differences in ALT at baseline, compared with ALT at 3 months, 6 months and 12 months (p < 0.05). HBV-DNA responsed below detection thredsold is 32%, 54.7% and 84% after 3, 6, 12 months of treatment, respectively (p<0.05). The change in the Fibroscan value > 1KPa at 6 months was 53.3% after treatment, and this was lower than this proportion at 12 months (61.3%) (p<0.001). Conclusion: Fibroscan may be used as a mean to monitor the responses to HBV treatment besides the biochemical and viral responses. Key words: Chronic B hepatitis, Entecavir, Elastography, Fibroscan