Histologic Disease in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B, High HBV DNA, and Normal Alanine Aminotransferase Levels

Serum GP73 combined AST and GGT reflects moderate to severe liver inflammation in chronic hepatitis B

BACKGROUND

Non-invasive method to identify chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with at least moderate inflammatory lesion but no increased ALT is an unmet need. We evaluated Golgi protein 73 (GP73) based hepatic inflammation model (HIM) as a serum surrogate for liver necroinflammatory activity, especially in those with ALT less than traditional upper concentration.

METHODS

The diagnostic performances of HIM were evaluated in 2 independent cohorts of liver biopsy proved CHB patients by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

RESULTS

HIM, a suggested index combined GP73, gamma-glutamyltransferase and AST, could significantly improve the diagnostic accuracy for liver necroinflammation (Area under ROC, AUROC: 0.890). More importantly, HIM still exhibit excellent diagnostic value (AUROC: 0.873) to identify patients with at least moderate liver necroinflammatory activity but with ALT <40 U/l. Serum GP73 was the major source of improvement for diagnostic model's accuracy.

CONCLUSION

HIM is probably a promising non-invasive index to identify CHB patients with moderate to severe liver necroinflammation, especially in those with ALT <40 U/l.

Undertreatment of Asian chronic hepatitis B patients on the basis of standard guidelines: a community-based study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Previous studies have found that a major proportion of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) do not receive antiviral therapy. The objective of this study was to characterize treatment eligibility on the basis of current guidelines, determine whether eligible patients actually receive treatment, and examine associated predictors.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of patients who were evaluated for CHB at two community gastroenterology clinics between April 2007 and February 2009. Using criteria published by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) in 2007-2009 and by a panel of US hepatologists (US Panel) in 2006-2008, treatment eligibility was determined for the patients.

RESULTS

Of 612 consecutive CHB patients included, mean age was 44 ± 13 years, 54 % were male, and 99 % were Asian. Half (51 %) were eligible for treatment on the basis of the US Panel algorithm and 47 % of these patients also met AASLD treatment criteria. Overall, antiviral therapy was initiated for 50 % of eligible patients: 72 % of AASLD-eligible patients and 29 % of patients who were US Panel-eligible only. Independent predictors for actual treatment initiation were higher ALT for AASLD-eligible patients and higher ALT and older age for patients who were US Panel-eligible only. The leading reasons for nontreatment were further observation recommended by the physician, followed by loss of follow-up and patient refusal.

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately half of the CHB patients evaluated at community referral clinics met treatment criteria of at least one guideline; however, only about half received antiviral therapy within 12 months of presentation. Further studies are needed to optimize treatment of eligible CHB patients.