A Follow-up Study for Chinese Chronic Hepatitis C Patients Treated with the Combination of PEG-IFNα-2a(PEGASYS) and Ribavirin

Objective To compare the efficacy of peginterferon alfa-2a(PEGASYS) plus ribavirin(RBV) with interferon alfa-2a plus RBV, and evaluate the safety. Methods Total of 117 patients with chronic hepatitis C were enrolled to receive either PEGASYS(135 μg or 180 μg) subcutaneously once per week, plus RBV(800 mg-1 200 mg) per day for 48 weeks(79 patients, PEGASYS group), or 5 million units of interferon alfa-2a subcutaneously every other day, plus RBV as above dosage for 48 weeks(38 patients, IFNα group). Results Sixty-three of 79(79.7%) patients reached sustained virological response(SVR) in PEGASYS group, while 14 of 38(36.8%) patients reached SVR in IFNα group. PEGASYS group was associated with a higher rate of virologic response than IFNα group at week 4, 12, 36, 48 and week 72. Sustained normalization of serum ALT concentrations at week 36, 48 and week 72 was also more common in PEGASYS group than in IFNα group. Baseline levels of ALT and HCV RNA had no effect on SVR in either PEGASYS group or IFNα group. Both groups were similar in the frequency and severity of adverse events. Conclusions PEGASYS plus RBV produced similar adverse events but higher rate of SVR. Meanwhile, complications should be prevented and treated promptly in order to increase compliances and effects.

An-Luo-Hua-Xian Pill Improves the Regression of Liver Fibrosis in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients Treated with Entecavir

Background and Aims:Chronic hepatitis B(CHB)can cause liver fibrosis and lead to cirrhosis and cancer.As the effectiveness of antiviral therapy to reverse liver fibrosis is limited,We aimed to evaluate the effect of An-Luo-Hua-Xian pill(ALHX)on fibrosis regression in CHB patients treated with entecavir(ETV).Methods:Treatment-naïve patients with CHB were randomly treated with ETV alone or combined with ALHX(ETV+ALHX)between October 1,2013 and December 31,2020.Demographic,laboratory,and liver histology data before and after 78 weeks of treatment were collected.The Ishak fibrosis score(F)was used and fibrosis regression required a decrease in F of≥1 after treatment.Results:A total of 780 patients were enrolled,and 394 with a second liver biopsy after treatment were included in the per-protocol population,132 in ETV group and 262 in ETV+ALHX group.After 78 weeks of treatment,the fibrosis regression rate in the ETV+ALHX group was significantly higher than that of the ETV group at baseline F≥3 patients:124/211(58.8%)vs.45/98(45.9%),p=0.035.The percentage of patients with a decreased liver stiffness measurement(LSM)was higher in the ETV+ALHX group:156/211(73.9%)vs.62/98(63.%),p=0.056.Logistic regression analysis showed that ETV combined with ALHX was associated with fibrosis regression[odds ratio(OR)=1.94,p=0.018],and a family history of hepatocellular carcinoma was on the contrary.(OR=0.41,p=0.031).Conclusions:ETV combined with ALHX increased liver fibrosis regression in CHB patients.

The relationship between SARS-COV-2 RNA positive duration and the risk of recurrent positive

Background:The management of discharge COVID-19 patients with recurrent positive SARS-CoV-2 RNA is challenging.However,there are fewer scientific dissertations about the risk of recurrent positive.The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between SARS-COV-2 RNA positive duration(SPD)and the risk of recurrent positive.