TY - JOUR
T1 - Factors associated with natural seroclearance of hepatitis B surface antigen and prognosis after seroclearance
T2 - A prospective follow-up study
AU - Jeong, Hwan Kim
AU - Joon, Hyoek Lee
AU - Sang, Jong Park
AU - Mun, Hee Bae
AU - Ji, Hyang Kim
AU - Do, Young Kim
AU - Jong, Kyu Kim
AU - Moon, Seok Choi
AU - Kwang, Cheol Koh
AU - Seung, Woon Paik
AU - Byung, Chul Yoo
PY - 2008/3
Y1 - 2008/3
N2 - Background/Aims: Although the natural seroclearance rate of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is reported to be 0.4-2% in western countries, this is not well known in Korea. This study aimed to elucidate the rate of natural HbsAg seroclearance, factors associated with seroclearance and prognosis after seroclearance. Methodology: In 1999, 250 chronic HBsAg carriers without any history of antiviral treatment and without any evidence of liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma were selected. Follow-up HBsAg/anti-HBs tests were performed annually till 2004. During a mean follow-up period of 48 months, 24 patients were lost and 11 received antiviral treatment. Finally, 215 patients completed the study. Results: HBsAg seroclearance was observed in 11 patients (6 males, 5 females). One-year seroclearance rate was 1.4%. All patients who achieved seroclearance were HBeAg (-)/HBV DNA (-) at the time of enrollment. Additionally, old age and normal serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level were the factors associated with seroclearance (p<0.05, respectively). During the follow-up period, only mild transient elevations of ALT were observed in 4 patients and no serious complications were observed. Conclusions: Natural seroclearance occurred exclusively in patients who were HBeAg (-)/HBV-DNA (-), and annual rate of natural HBsAg seroclearance was 1.4%. No significant complications were observed after seroclearance.
AB - Background/Aims: Although the natural seroclearance rate of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is reported to be 0.4-2% in western countries, this is not well known in Korea. This study aimed to elucidate the rate of natural HbsAg seroclearance, factors associated with seroclearance and prognosis after seroclearance. Methodology: In 1999, 250 chronic HBsAg carriers without any history of antiviral treatment and without any evidence of liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma were selected. Follow-up HBsAg/anti-HBs tests were performed annually till 2004. During a mean follow-up period of 48 months, 24 patients were lost and 11 received antiviral treatment. Finally, 215 patients completed the study. Results: HBsAg seroclearance was observed in 11 patients (6 males, 5 females). One-year seroclearance rate was 1.4%. All patients who achieved seroclearance were HBeAg (-)/HBV DNA (-) at the time of enrollment. Additionally, old age and normal serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level were the factors associated with seroclearance (p<0.05, respectively). During the follow-up period, only mild transient elevations of ALT were observed in 4 patients and no serious complications were observed. Conclusions: Natural seroclearance occurred exclusively in patients who were HBeAg (-)/HBV-DNA (-), and annual rate of natural HBsAg seroclearance was 1.4%. No significant complications were observed after seroclearance.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=44349194322&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=44349194322&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
C2 - 18613411
AN - SCOPUS:44349194322
SN - 0172-6390
VL - 55
SP - 578
EP - 581
JO - Hepato-Gastroenterology
JF - Hepato-Gastroenterology
IS - 82-83
ER -
