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‘Hepatitis B patients can stop antiviral drug if surface antigen disappears’
  • By Kim Yoon-mi
  • Published 2020.04.06 15:32
  • Updated 2020.04.06 15:32
  • comments 15

Chronic hepatitis type B patients who got rid of hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) through long-term medication can discontinue the antiviral treatment, local researchers said in a study.

Professor Lee Jeong-hoon at the Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute at Seoul National University College of Medicine and his research team released the study, jointly conducted by 16 university hospitals, on Friday.

Professor Lee Jeong-hoon of the Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute at Seoul National University College of Medicine

Chronic hepatitis B affects about 260 million people worldwide. The disease is particularly common in East Asia, including Korea.

In the past, physicians used antiviral treatments to treat chronic hepatitis B. If the viral suppression by antiviral drugs goes successful and the patient tests negative for HBsAg, the patient is considered to have achieved “a functional cure.”

However, hepatitis B patients could not discontinue the antiviral treatment even after a functional cure because discontinuation of the antiviral drug could reactivate the virus and worsen liver functions. Such a case may lead to liver failure or even death.

Thus, patients with hepatitis B had no choice but to take the medication for the long term and come to terms with the risk of drug resistance, side effects, and financial burden.

The research team analyzed 276 patients from 16 hospitals whose long-term antiviral medications removed HBsAg. Then, the team compared the results of 131 who discontinued antiviral drug within six months after HBsAg cleared with those of 145 who continued the drug.

The researchers found that there was no difference between the two groups in terms of HBsAg reversion, serum hepatitis B virus DNA re-detection, or hepatocellular carcinoma risk.

The latest study was expected to be used as a basis for determining when to end chronic hepatitis B patient’s antiviral treatment, the researchers said.

It was the largest real-world, multicenter cohort study that directly compared the discontinuation with the continuation of the antiviral drug for the first time, they added.

“Since cirrhosis and previous history of antiviral resistance might be associated with a higher risk for HBsAg reversion and hepatitis B virus DNA re-detection, respectively, those patients require more attention and further prospective studies with larger sample size are warranted,” the research team noted.

The study was published in the online version of Gut, a medical journal by the British Society of Gastroenterology, on March 25.

yoonmi@docdocdoc.co.kr

<© Korea Biomedical Review, All rights reserved.>

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  • Preeda 2020-09-01 16:13:14

    I am 35 from Thailand, Last year I accidentally came to know that I have contracted Hepatitis B. I actually don't know how or when I contracted it but I have it, I was so depressed to know about it, but World Herbs Clinic website(ww w worldherbsclinic c om)HBV HERBAL FORMULA was a blessing for me.   삭제

    • harrisonrekyer 2020-08-07 11:12:13

      I can’t believe this is really true I never believe there is cure to this hsv 2 because all the hospital have told me there is no cure to it, few months ago I saw this man email DR.EIGBIREMLEN on internet from a testimony share by someone who he help with his herbal cure I contact his email and ask   삭제

      • harrisonrekyer 2020-08-07 11:11:25

        I can’t believe this is really true I never believe there is cure to this hsv 2 because all the hospital have told me there is no cure to it, few months ago I saw this man email DR.EIGBIREMLEN on internet from a testimony share by someone who he help with his herbal cure I contact his email and ask   삭제

        • Lance 2020-08-02 21:32:44

          Im 20 from Philppines suffering in this serious condition hepatitis b i dont know what to do anymore and im losing hope i think theres no future for me ahead in life i cant have kids nor partner knowing that i may passed it on them sadly im thinking to end my life for the best.   삭제

          • mark jane 2020-08-01 23:44:20

            Am testifying of the miraculous work of a great traditional doctor called Dr Oje Abacha . I have been suffering from herpes since last 2 years with my Husband but today I am happy that am cure from it with the herbal medicine made by Dr Oje Abacha the great healer, I was browsing the Internet search   삭제

            • Gisa Valladares 2020-07-21 16:28:07

              I want to let you all know that hepatitis B can only be cured permanently with natural herbal medicine i happened to be a living testimony to this cause i have tested it and it worked for me, i got the it from Dr Ayes contact email (drayesherbalmedicine@gmail.com) or whatsapp +2349028032485   삭제

              • morgan 2020-07-13 22:58:12

                . I've suffered with HIV/AIDS ever since I was a child but it's only been the last few years I discovered that I also have herpes virus . So I started looking for a way to get cure permanently from this deadly virus I visited so many hospitals in search for a solution.Few month ago I came across a s   삭제

                • PREEDA 2020-07-13 02:32:32

                  I am 35 from Thailand, Last year I accidentally came to know that I have contracted Hepatitis B. I actually don't know how or when I contracted it but I have it. I was so much depressed to learn about it but World Herbs Clinic website(ww w worldherbsclinic c om)was a blessing for me, I am thankful t   삭제

                  • Gisa valladaers 2020-06-12 19:18:55

                    I want to let you all know that hepatitis B can only be cured permanently with natural herbal medicine i happened to be a living testimony to this cause i have tested it and it worked for me, i got the it from Dr Ayes contact email (drayesherbalmedicine@gmail.com) or whatsapp +2349028032485   삭제

                    • Gisa valladaers 2020-06-12 04:02:26

                      My adventure into the world of natural therapy, which involves herbal medicine, is a mission. This is a mission to set our people free from ignorance, to open the eyes of the blind in order to see the hands of oppression, injustice and exploitation and to fight against them. National medicine is not   삭제

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