Treatment strategies using adefovir dipivoxil for individuals with lamivudine-resistant chronic hepatitis B

AIM:To investigate retrospectively the long-term efficacy of various treatment strategies using adefovir dipivoxil(adefovir) in patients with lamivudine-resistant chronic hepatitis B.METHODS:We included 154 consecutive patients in two treatment groups:the "add-on" group(n = 79),in which adefovir was added to ongoing lamivudine treatment due to lamivudine resistance,and the "switch/combination" group(n = 75),in which lamivudine was first switched to adefovir and then re-added later as needed.The "switch/combination" group was then divided into two subgroups depending on whether participants followed(group A,n = 30) or violated(group B,n = 45) a proposed treatment strategy that determined whether to add lamivudine based on the serum hepatitis B virus(HBV) DNA levels(< 60 IU/mL or not) after 6 mo of treatment(roadmap concept).RESULTS:The cumulative probability of virologic response(HBV DNA < 60 IU/mL) was higher in group A than in the "add-on" group and in group B(P < 0.001).In contrast,the cumulative probability of virologic breakthrough was lower in the "add-on" group than in group B(P = 0.002).Furthermore,the risk of virologic breakthrough in the multivariate analysis was significantly lower in the "add-on" group than in group A(hazard ratio = 0.096;95%CI,0.015-0.629;P = 0.015).CONCLUSION:The selective combination of adefovir with lamivudine based upon early treatment responses increased the odds of virologic breakthrough relative to the use of uniform combination therapy from the beginning of treatment.

Computed tomography findings for predicting severe acute hepatitis with prolonged cholestasis

AIM: To evaluate the significance of computed tomography (CT) findings in relation to liver chemistry and the clinical course of acute hepatitis. METHODS: Four hundred and twelve patients with acute hepatitis who underwent enhanced CT scanning were enrolled retrospectively. Imaging findings were analyzed for the following variables: gallbladder wall thickness (GWT), arterial heterogeneity, periportal tracking, number and maximum size of lymph nodes, presence of ascites, and size of spleen. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, albumin, and prothrombin time were measured on the day of admission and CT scan, and laboratory data were evaluated every 2-4 d for all subjects during hospitalization. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 34.4 years, and the most common cause of hepatitis was hepatitis A virus (77.4%). The mean GWT was 5.2 mm. The number of patients who had findings of arterial heterogeneity, periportal tracking, lymph node enlargement > 7 mm, and ascites was 294 (80.1%), 348 (84.7%), 346 (84.5%), and 56 (13.6%), respectively. On multivariate logistic regression, male gender [odds ratio (OR) = 2.569, 95%CI: 1.477-4.469, P = 0.001], toxic hepatitis (OR = 3.531, 95%CI: 1.444-8.635, P = 0.006), level of albumin (OR = 2.154, 95%CI: 1.279-3.629, P = 0.004), and GWT (OR = 1.061, 95%CI: 1.015-1.110, P = 0.009) were independent predictive factors for severe hepatitis. The level of bilirubin (OR = 1.628, 95%CI: 1.331-1.991, P < 0.001) and GWT (OR = 1.172, 95%CI: 1.024-1.342,P = 0.021) were independent factors for prolonged cholestasis in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: In patients with acute hepatitis, GWT on CT scan was an independent predictor of severe hepatitis and prolonged cholestasis.