THE VALUE OF HBSAG MONITARIZATION IN CHRONIC HEPATITIS B PATIENTS TREATED WITH ORAL ANTIVIRAL THERAPY

Background:Monitarization of serum HBsAg levels during treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) with pegylated interferon was popular. However, the value of HBsAg kinetics under the treatment of CHB with oral antiviral agents is not well-known. In this study we aimed to evaluate the levels of HBsAg and HBV DNA during the treatment with oral antivirals in CHB patients. Material and Method: A total of consecutive 50 CHB patients (mean age: 42.62?12.74 years and male/female: 31/19) were enrolled in this study. The serum HBsAg and HBV DNA levels at 0, 3rd and 6th month follow up in CHB patients iniated on oral antiviral therapy (lamivudine 100 mg daily, telbuvidine 600 mg daily, entecavire 0.5 or 1.0 mg daily and tenofovire 300 mg daily) were evaluated. Histologic activity index and fibrosis score were determined by Modified Knodall Classification (Ishak) in assessment of CHB biopsy specimens. Univariate and multivariate statistical methods were used by using SPSS packet programme. Results: The patients were grouped according to antiviral agents used. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups regarding age and gender (p=0.520 and p=0.816, respectively). The initial qHBSAg (log10 IU/mL) and HBV DNA (log10 IU/mL) levels were higher in HBeAg positive patients (p=0.002 and p<0.001 respectively). There was a positive correlation between the basal HBV DNA and HBsAg levels among CHB patients (r=0,398; p=0,004). At 6- month follow up, the serum HBsAg decline was significantly higher in patients treated with tenofovire (85%) and entecavire (82%) compared to those treated with telbuvidine (35%) and lamivudine (26%) (p<0.05). Conclusion: The value of the HBsAgmonitarization in CHB patients treated with antiviral therapy has not been clarified yet.