AbstractThe coexistence of HBsAg and anti-HBs has been reported in some chronic hepatitis B patients; however, the long-term outcomes of this serological profile have not been elucidated. We aimed to evaluate the long-term outcomes of HBsAg/anti-HBs double-positive chronic hepatitis B patients. Chronic hepatitis B patients who underwent baseline abdominal ultrasonography and follow-up (HBsAg/anti-HBs assessment and abdominal ultrasonography) at our healthcare center were included. The “coexistence group” included patients positive for both HBsAg and anti-HBs and the “control group” included patients positive for only HBsAg during follow-up. The outcomes were hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence, HBsAg seroclearance and overall mortality. Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazard regression analyses were performed. Of the 2,341 eligible patients, 166 (7.1%) were in the coexistence group. The total follow-up duration was 5.4 years. The coexistence group had a 3.08-fold higher risk of HCC than the control group [hazard ratio (HR) 3.08, 95% confidence interval(CI) 1.26–7.55, P = 0.014] in multivariate analysis. The coexistence group had more HBsAg seroclearance than the control group (HR 1.43, 95% CI 1.01–2.03, P = 0.046). However, overall mortality did not significantly differ between the 2 groups. The coexistence group is heterogeneous and includes subjects with unfavorable outcomes (incidence of HCC) and favorable outcomes (more HBsAg seroclearance).
Real World Experience of Telbivudine Versus Entecavir in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B, Including Long-Term Outcomes after Treatment Modification
