Absence of Correlation between IL-28B Gene Polymorphisms and the Clinical Presentation of Chronic Hepatitis B in an Amazon Brazilian Population

Objective. The present study investigated the prevalence of the IL-28B polymorphisms rs12979860 and rs8099917 in chronic hepatitis B patients from a case study in Eastern Amazonia.Methods. In total, 65 chronically infected HBV patients and 97 healthy subjects who were anti-HBc and anti-HBs positive (control group) were evaluated between May 2011 and December 2012. The groups of patients were designated as inactive carriers, chronic hepatitis without cirrhosis, and chronic hepatitis with cirrhosis based on clinical, pathological, biochemical, hematological, and virological variables. The patients were genotyped using quantitative real-time PCR.Results. The frequencies of the rs12979860 polymorphism were similar between the infected group (32.3% CC, 41.5% CT, and 26.2 TT) and the control population (35% CC, 47.4% CT, and 17.6% TT), and the frequencies of the rs8099917 polymorphism (7.7% GG, 35.4% GT, and 56.9% TT versus 7.2% GG, 35.1% GT, and 57.7% TT) were also similar in both groups. The associations between the rs12979860 and rs8099917 polymorphisms and the clinical manifestations were not statistically significant.Conclusion. In conclusion, these polymorphisms had a similar distribution between infected and control groups, indicating that they were not associated with susceptibility and the clinical evolution of hepatitis B in the examined population.

Download Full-text

Virtual monitoring for stable chronic hepatitis B patients does not reduce adherence to medications: A randomised controlled study

Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare ◽

10.1177/1357633x20980298 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1357633X2098029

Author(s):

Rajneesh Kumar ◽

Mei-Ling Yee ◽

George BB Goh ◽

Pei-Yuh Chia ◽

Hwei-Ling Lee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Hepatitis ◽

Hepatitis B ◽

Chronic Hepatitis B ◽

Medication Possession Ratio ◽

Likert Scale ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Control Group ◽

Control Groups ◽

And Control

Introduction Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remains common in endemic regions, causing significant healthcare burden. Patients with CHB may need to be adherent to nucleoside analogue (NA) for a long period of time to prevent complications. This study aims to investigate the safety, efficacy and patient experience of a virtual monitoring clinic (VMC) in monitoring stable patients taking NA for CHB. Methods Patients on NA and regular follow-up were randomised to either VMC alternating with doctors’ clinic visit or to a control group in which they continued standard follow-up by doctors. Therapy adherence was measured by medication possession ratio (MPR) for NA therapy, incidence of virological breakthrough and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development at two years of follow-up. Patient acceptance was measured on a Likert scale of 1–10. Results A total 192 patients completed follow-up: 94 and 98 patients in the VMC and control groups, respectively. Mean age was 60.6 ± 10.8 years, with 95.3% Chinese ethnicity and 64.1% males. Age, gender, race, educational, employment and financial status were similar in both groups. Upon study completion, the majority of patients – 76 (80.9%) in VMC group and 74 (75.5%) in control group – had MPR ≥0.8; 88.8% were satisfied and rated VMC better than a traditional follow-up clinic with doctors only. More than 85% of patients rated ≥8/10 on the Likert scale for VMC, and preferred VMC over traditional clinic visits. Clinical outcomes observed were HCC development in one (1.1%) in the VMC group and four (4.1%) in the control group ( p = 0.369). Two (2.1%) and one (1.0%) virological breakthroughs were observed in the VMC and control groups, respectively ( p = 0.615). No incidence of HCC or abnormal blood tests were missed in the VMC arm. Discussion VMC is a viable and safe clinical model for monitoring stable CHB patients on NA therapy without compromising patients’ adherence to medications and is preferred by patients.

Download Full-text

Electronic health record alerts enhance mass screening for chronic hepatitis B

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-75842-8 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Eric Chak ◽

Chin-Shang Li ◽

Moon S. Chen ◽

Scott MacDonald ◽

Christopher Bowlus

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Chronic Hepatitis ◽

Hepatitis B ◽

Electronic Health Record ◽

Chronic Hepatitis B ◽

Control Group ◽

Health Record ◽

Electronic Alerts ◽

Electronic Health ◽

And Control

Abstract To measure the effect of an electronic health record (EHR) alert on chronic hepatitis B (CHB) screening among at-risk Asian and Pacific Islanders (API). API patients who had not yet completed hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) testing were identified by a novel EHR-based population health tool. At-risk API patients in Cohort 1 (primarily privately insured) and Cohort 2 (includes Medicare and/or Medicaid) were randomized to alert activation in their electronic medical charts or not. In total, 8299 API were found to be deficient in HBsAg completion at baseline within our health system. In Cohort 1, 1542 patients and 1568 patients were randomized to the alert and control respectively. In Cohort 2, 2599 patients and 2590 patients were randomized to the alert and control respectively. For both cohorts combined, 389 HBsAg tests were completed in the alert group compared to 177 HBsAg tests in the control group (p < 0.0001; OR = 2.3; 95% CI 1.94–2.80), but there was no increased detection of HBsAg positivity from the alert (15 versus 13 respectively, p = 0.09; OR = 0.5; 95% CI 0.24–1.09). Our results demonstrate that personalized, automated electronic alerts increase screening for CHB, but more comprehensive measures are needed to detect HBsAg positive patients. NIH Trial Registry Number: NCT04240678.

Download Full-text

Assessment of miR-212 and Other Biomarkers in the Diagnosis and Treatment of HBV-infection-related Liver Diseases

Current Drug Metabolism ◽

10.2174/1389200220666191011120434 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (10) ◽

pp. 785-798 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Yigan Zhang ◽

Huaze Xi ◽

Xin Nie ◽

Peng Zhang ◽

Ning Lan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Chronic Hepatitis ◽

Liver Cancer ◽

Hepatitis B ◽

Chronic Hepatitis B ◽

Liver Diseases ◽

Meld Score ◽

Hbv Infection ◽

Expression Level ◽

Control Group

Objective: Our study aims to detect the sensitivity of the new biomarker miR-212 existing in serum exosomes along with other hepatocellular carcinoma biomarkers such as AFP (alpha-fetoprotein), CA125 (carbohydrate antigen-ca125), and Hbx protein in the diagnosis of HBV-related liver diseases. We also aim to study the roles of these biomarkers in the progression of chronic hepatitis B and provide scientific data to show the clinical value of these biomarkers. Methods: We selected 200 patients with HBV-infection (58 cases of chronic hepatitis B, 47 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma, 30 cases of compensatory phase cirrhosis, and 65 cases of decompensatory phase cirrhosis), 31 patients with primary liver cancer without HBV infection, and 70 healthy individuals as the control group. The expression level of serum AFP and CA125 was detected with electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. The expression level of the Hbx protein was detected with ELISA. Meanwhile, the expression level of miR-212 in serum was analyzed with RT-qPCR. We collected patients’ clinical information following the Child-Pugh classification and MELD score criterion, and statistical analysis was made between the expression level of miR-212 and the collected clinical indexes. Lastly, we predicted the target genes of the miR-212 and its functions using bioinformatics methods such as cluster analysis and survival prediction. Results: Compared to the control group, the expression level of miR-212 in HBV infected patients was remarkably increased (P<0.05), especially between the HBV-infection Hepatocellular carcinoma group and the non-HBVinfection liver cancer group (P<0.05). The expression of miR-212 was increased in patients’ Child-Pugh classification, MELD score, and TNM staging. Moreover, the sensitivity and specificity of miR-212 were superior to AFP, CA125, and HBx protein. Conclusion: There is a linear relationship between disease progression and expression level of miR-212 in the serum of HBV infected patients. This demonstrates that miR-212 plays a significant role in liver diseases. miR-212 is expected to be a new biomarker used for the diagnosis and assessment of patients with HBV-infection-related liver diseases.

Download Full-text

Lingmao Formula Combined with Entecavir for HBeAg-Positive Chronic Hepatitis B Patients with Mildly Elevated Alanine Aminotransferase: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2013/620230 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Xiao-Jun Zhu ◽

Xue-Hua Sun ◽

Zheng-Hua Zhou ◽

Shun-Qing Liu ◽

Hua Lv ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Hepatitis ◽

Treatment Group ◽

Hepatitis B ◽

Chronic Hepatitis B ◽

Alanine Aminotransferase ◽

Hbv Dna ◽

Control Group ◽

Hbeag Loss ◽

Histological Improvement ◽

Positive Chronic Hepatitis

Objective. To determine the efficacy and safety of Lingmao Formula combined with entecavir for HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients with mildly elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT).Methods. 301 patients were randomly assigned to receive Lingmao Formula combined with entecavir (treatment group) or placebo combined with entecavir (control group) for 52 weeks. The outcomes of interest included the reduction of serum HBV DNA level, HBeAg loss, HBeAg seroconversion, ALT normalization, and histological improvement.Results. The mean decrease of serum HBV DNA level from baseline and the percentage of patients who had reduction in serum HBV DNA level ≥2 lg copies/mL in treatment group were significantly greater than that in control group (5.5 versus 5.4 lg copies/mL,P=0.010; 98.5% versus 92.6%,P=0.019). The percentage of HBeAg loss in treatment group was 22.8%, which was much higher than a percentage of 12.6% in control group (P=0.038). There was no significant difference between the two groups in histological improvement. Safety was similar in the two groups.Conclusions. The combination of Lingmao Formula with entecavir could result in significant decrease of serum HBV DNA and increase of HBeAg loss for HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients with mildly elevated ALT without any serious adverse events. Clinical trial registration number isChiCTR-TRC-09000594.

Download Full-text

Role of serum M2BPGi levels in diagnosing significant liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B

QJM ◽

10.1093/qjmed/hcab100.085 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 114 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Marcel William Keddeas ◽

Hany Haroun Kaisar ◽

Hagar Ahmed Ahmed Elessawy ◽

Mariam Samir Abdel Hamid Elewa

Keyword(s):

Chronic Hepatitis ◽

Liver Fibrosis ◽

Serum Level ◽

Hepatitis B ◽

Chronic Hepatitis B ◽

Transient Elastography ◽

Liver Stiffness ◽

Protein Glycosylation ◽

Control Group ◽

Serum Samples

Abstract Background and aim Mac-2-binding protein glycosylation isomer (M2BPGi) is a novel serum diagnostic marker for liver fibrosis in various liver diseases. We aimed to evaluate its role in assessment of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B infection (CHB) with reference to liver stiffness measurement (LSM) by transient elastography (Fibroscan). Design and Methods A case control study. 50 CHB patients with LSM by transient elastography technology and retrievable serum samples and 20 normal volunteers as a control group were recruited. Results 50 CHB patients (M: F = 30:20; mean age 43years ± 10.58) and 20 normal control volunteers (M: F = 12:8; mean age 37years ± 14.5) were recruited. The mean M2BPGi values for control group, F0-F1, F2, F3 and F4 progressively increased with more advanced stages of liver fibrosis: 0.282, 0.719, 1.322, 1.65 and 1.904 COI, respectively (p < 0.001). M2BPGi levels correlated well with liver stiffness (r = 0.911) and moderately with FIB-4 (r = 0.682), and with APRI (r = 0.536) (all p < 0.001). Using cut-off values of 0.455, 1.02, 1.16, 1.66 and 1.71COI for control, F0-F1, F2, F3 and F4 groups, respectively, the AUROCs were 0.996, 0.996, 0.691, 0.794 and 1.00 for control, F0-F1, F2, F3 and F4 groups, respectively. There was a statistically significant but with weak positive correlation between M2BPGi serum level and INR (r = 0.333, p = 0.018). And there was a statistically significant but with weak negative correlation between M2BPGi serum level and platelet count (r = -0.41, p = 0.003) and HBV DNA (r = -0.373, p = 0.008).There was a statistically significance between M2BPGi serum level and the history of varices (p = 0.023) Conclusions WFA+-M2BP is an accurate serum indicator for assessing different stages of liver fibrosis. WFA+-M2BP provides a simple and reliable alternative or complementary method to liver biopsy and FibroScan.

Download Full-text

STUDY OF PREVALENCE AND PATTERN OF HEARING LOSS IN PATIENTS OF HEPATITIS B

International Journal of Medical and Biomedical Studies ◽

10.32553/ijmbs.v3i12.830 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (12) ◽

Author(s):

Kapildev Mondal ◽

Poulomi Saha

Keyword(s):

Hearing Loss ◽

Chronic Hepatitis ◽

Hepatitis B ◽

Chronic Hepatitis B ◽

Pure Tone ◽

Control Group ◽

Hepatitis B Infection ◽

Cellular Carcinoma ◽

The Right ◽

Hep B

Hepatitis B has been documented to cause various extra hepatic manifestations along with known hepatic complications. It has been reported that hepatitis-B patients are more susceptible to inner ear damage and hearing loss. The aim of this study is to evaluate hearing loss among patients of hepatitis B {all 6 categories Hepatitis B infection: chronic Hepatitis B infection , hepatitis B cirrhosis ,Hepatitis B virus carriers , occult chronic Hepatitis B and Hepatitis B infection with poly arthritis nodosa, hepato cellular carcinoma with hepatitis B}compared with healthy subjects. METHOD: In this case control study 100 Hepatitis B positive patients and 100 age and gender-matched healthy individuals were included over the period of 5 years. All of them were known cases of chronic hepatitis B positive for HBsAg at least for 18 months. All patients were aged 18 to 50 years to exclude presence of presbycusis. After base line investigations, they were subjected for all cases and controls were subjected otoscopic examination and hearing assessment using standard pure tone audiometry. Descriptive statistical analysis has been carried out in this study. RESULT: In patients of Hepatitis B (94 patients,6 patients had of natural death ) pure tone average (mean thresholds 250,500, 1000,2000,4000 &8000 Hz) was 28.4 dB in the right ear and 27.3 dB in the left (hearing loss).In the control group(96 patients,4 patients dropped out), PTA average was 9.9 dB in the right ear and 9.3dB in the left (normal hearing). In both groups, Speech Discrimination score (SDS) was100% in both ears. The percentage of hearing loss in the right and left ear over the total of six frequencies differed significantly in the two groups. Out of 94 patients of control group, 38 patients (40.4%) patients presented with Chronic Liver Disease (CLD), 14 patients (14.8%) patients presented with cirrhosis with Hepatitis B, 6 (6.3%) patients had Poly arthritis Nodosa with Hep-B, 18(19.1%) patients were diagnosed as carrier of Hepatitis-B , 11(11.7%) patients had occult Hepatitis-B and 7(7.4%) patients were diagnosed with hepato cellular carcinoma. Hearing loss was maximum in patients of PAN with Hep-B. Second highest mean SNHL was seen in patients of Hep-B with cirrhosis .Third highest mean hearing loss was noted in patients with HCC .Forth highest mean hearing loss was noted in patients with occult Hep-B. Fifth highest mean hearing loss was noted in carriers of Hep-B.Lowest group with SNHL was chronic liver disease. CONCLUSION: Regular audiometric tests are recommended for patients with HBV infection to assess their hearing ability and enable the earlier detection of SNHL. We also suggest that HBV presenting with the sudden onset of hearing loss should be examined for the possibility of acute exacerbation of chronic HBV infection. KEYWORDS: Mean, Sensorineural, Hearing loss, Cirrhosis.

Download Full-text

Efficacy of a self-management program in patients with chronic viral hepatitis in China

BMC Nursing ◽

10.1186/s12912-019-0366-7 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ying’ai Cui ◽

Michiko Moriyama ◽

Kazuaki Chayama ◽

Yanhui Liu ◽

Chunmei Ya ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Chronic Hepatitis ◽

Hepatitis B ◽

Viral Hepatitis ◽

Chronic Hepatitis B ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Chronic Viral Hepatitis ◽

Management Program ◽

Behavioral Changes ◽

Self Management ◽

Control Group

Abstract Background Chronic hepatitis, mainly B or C, increases the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma and remains an emerging issue in the globe. China has high rates of liver cancer incidence and mortality in the world. To address such challenges, adequate management of chronic hepatitis is required. Self-management education is one alternative for improving the hepatitis patients’ knowledge of the disease, mental health, and clinical management. This study aimed to examine the quality of life (QOL), psychological effects, and behavioral changes of a self-management program which allows continuity of care for chronic hepatitis B and C patients. Method In a six-month, randomized controlled trial, we invited 73 chronic hepatitis B/C inpatients to receive (i) two face-to-face education sessions provided by a nurse during hospitalization, and monthly telephone counseling at home after discharge; (ii) or usual care treatment (control group). The primary endpoint (patients’ QOL) and secondary outcomes (including self-efficacy, depression symptoms, perceived cognition of illness and behavioral changes) were assessed. In addition, we conducted qualitative data analysis to facilitate the evaluation of the interventions. Results Sixty (82.2%) out of 73 eligible patients with chronic hepatitis B/C (aged 34.9 ± 8.9 years) participated in the study. The intervention group (n = 30) significantly improved on outcomes including QOL, self-efficacy, perceived cognition of illness, and behavioral changes, whereas the control group significantly decreased their healthy behaviors. In terms of behavioral changes, alcohol avoidance, dietary adherence, and stress management also improved in the intervention group. However, there were no significant improvements in symptoms of depression. Most participants (80%) in the intervention group stated that they benefited from the program. Conclusions This program contributed to patients’ acquisition of self-management skills to cope with their illnesses, and significantly improved their QOL. This program serves as a reminder for nurses who care for patients with chronic viral hepatitis to acquire these skills as it would help them address the daily needs of their patients. Trial registration UMIN000025378. Registered December 23, 2016.

Download Full-text

Efficacy of a herbal toothpaste on patients with established gingivitis: a randomized controlled trial

Brazilian Oral Research ◽

10.1590/s1806-83242006000200015 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 20 (2) ◽

pp. 172-177 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Fabiana Ozaki ◽

Claudio Mendes Pannuti ◽

Ana Vitória Imbronito ◽

Wellington Pessotti ◽

Luciana Saraiva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Adverse Reactions ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Test Group ◽

Experimental Period ◽

Positive Control ◽

Control Group ◽

Control Groups ◽

Double Blind ◽

Significant Difference ◽

And Control

The aim of this randomised, double blind controlled trial was to verify the efficacy of a herbal dentifrice on the reduction of plaque and gingivitis. Forty eight volunteers with established gingivitis were randomly assigned to either a test group (herbal dentifrice) or positive control group (dentifrice with triclosan and fluoride). The dentifrices were distributed in plain white tubes by an independent pharmacy, which revealed the contents of each tube only after the experimental period. Plaque and gingivitis assessments were carried out on baseline and after 28 days of product use. All examinations were conducted by the same calibrated investigator. Subjects were instructed to brush their teeth three times daily using their assigned dentifrice for 28 days. There was a significant reduction in plaque levels in both the test and control groups. However, there was no significant difference between the groups. A significant reduction in gingivitis was observed in both groups, although there was no significant difference between them. No adverse reactions were reported. The authors concluded that both dentifrices were effective in reducing plaque and gingivitis in subjects with established gingivitis.

Download Full-text