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Maung ST, Decharatanachart P, Treeprasertsuk S, Chaiteerakij R. Risk Factors for Development of Cirrhosis in Chronic Viral Hepatitis B Patients Who Had Persistent Viral Suppression With Antiviral Therapy. J Clin Exp Hepatol 2024; 14:101388. [PMID: 38523735 PMCID: PMC10956063 DOI: 10.1016/j.jceh.2024.101388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and aims Chronic viral hepatitis B (CHB)-infected patients occasionally develop cirrhosis despite having persistent viral suppression with antiviral therapy. We aimed to identify risk factors for developing cirrhosis in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-suppressed patients. Methods We conducted a case-control study involving 120 noncirrhotic CHB-infected patients achieving viral suppression with antiviral treatment, with 40 cases developing cirrhosis and 80 age-, sex-, and Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4)-matched controls. Clinical and laboratory data at viral suppression, including body mass index (BMI), comorbidities, pretreatment HBV viral load, HBe antigen status, hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV coinfections, liver chemistries, and AST to Platelets Ratio Index (APRI) values, were retrospectively abstracted. Risk factors for cirrhosis post-HBV suppression were identified using Cox proportional hazard analysis. Results Case and control groups had similar ages (51.4 ± 9.9 vs. 51.4 ± 10.2 years), proportions of males (80% vs. 80%), and FIB-4 values (1.32 vs. 1.31). The cirrhosis group showed significantly higher BMI (25.1 vs. 22.7, P = 0.01) and more diabetes prevalence (50.0% vs. 26.3%, P = 0.01), while other comorbidities and laboratory parameters were comparable (P > 0.05). By univariate analysis, BMI >23 kg/m2, diabetes, and APRI >0.7 were significantly associated with cirrhosis, with hazard ratios (HRs) (95%CI) of 2.99 (1.46-6.13), 2.31 (1.23-4.36), and 2.71 (1.05-6.99), P = 0.003, 0.010, and 0.039, respectively. In multivariate analyses adjusted for APRI, BMI>23 kg/m2 remained significantly associated with cirrhosis (aHR: 2.76, P = 0.006), while diabetes showed borderline significance (aHR: 1.99, P = 0.072). Conclusions In HBV-infected patients achieving viral suppression with therapy, a BMI >23 kg/m2 increases the risk of cirrhosis. Therefore, a comprehensive approach addressing metabolic factors is imperative for preventing disease progression in HBV-infected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soe T. Maung
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Ma Har Myaing Hospital, Yangon, Myanmar
| | | | - Sombat Treeprasertsuk
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Roongruedee Chaiteerakij
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence for Innovation and Endoscopy in Gastrointestinal Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Kranidioti H, Zisimopoulos K, Oikonomou T, Voulgaris T, Siakavellas S, Agorastou P, Deutsch M, Triantos C, Goulis I, Papatheodoridis G, Manolakopoulos S. Successful therapy with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) does not guarantee amelioration of liver damage assessing by transient elastography. A retrospective - prospective multicenter study. BMC Gastroenterol 2024; 24:133. [PMID: 38609880 PMCID: PMC11010325 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-024-03200-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preventing disease progression and viral suppression are the main goals of antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) by transient elastography is a reliable non-invasive method to assess liver fibrosis in patients with CHB. Our aim was to explore factors that may affect changes in LSMs during long term tenofovir (TDF) monotherapy in a well characterized cohort of patients with compensated CHB. METHODS We analyzed serial LSMs in 103 adult patients with CHB who were on TDF monotherapy and had at least three LSMs over a period of 90 months. RESULTS Twenty-five (24%) patients had advanced fibrosis at baseline. A significant decline in mean LSM between baseline and last visit (8.7 ± 6.2 kPa vs. 6.7 ± 3.3, p = 10- 3) was observed. Twenty-four (23%) patients had progression of liver fibrosis with mean increase in liver stiffness of 2.8 kPa (range: 0.2-10.2 kPa). Multivariate analysis showed that BMI ≥ 25 (OR, 0.014; 95% CI, 0.001-0.157; p = 0.001) and advanced fibrosis (OR, 5.169; 95% CI, 1.240-21.540; p = 0.024) were independently associated with a fibrosis regression of > 30% of liver stiffness compared to baseline value. CONCLUSIONS In CHB patients TDF monotherapy resulted in liver fibrosis regression, especially in patients with advanced fibrosis. Despite the successful antiviral effect of TDF, 1 out of 4 patients had liver fibrosis progression. Obesity and advanced fibrosis at baseline were independently associated with significant liver fibrosis regression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hariklia Kranidioti
- 2nd Academic Department of Internal Medicine, Liver- GI Unit, General Hospital of Athens "Hippocration", National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 114 Vas. Sofias str, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Theodora Oikonomou
- 4thDepartment of Internal Medicine, General Hospital of Thessaloniki "Hippocration", Aristotelion University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Theodoros Voulgaris
- Academic Department of Gastroenterology, General Hospital of Athens "Laiko", National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Spyros Siakavellas
- 2nd Academic Department of Internal Medicine, Liver- GI Unit, General Hospital of Athens "Hippocration", National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 114 Vas. Sofias str, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Polixeni Agorastou
- 4thDepartment of Internal Medicine, General Hospital of Thessaloniki "Hippocration", Aristotelion University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Melanie Deutsch
- 2nd Academic Department of Internal Medicine, Liver- GI Unit, General Hospital of Athens "Hippocration", National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 114 Vas. Sofias str, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Christos Triantos
- Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital of Patras, Patra, Greece
| | - Ioannis Goulis
- 4thDepartment of Internal Medicine, General Hospital of Thessaloniki "Hippocration", Aristotelion University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - George Papatheodoridis
- Academic Department of Gastroenterology, General Hospital of Athens "Laiko", National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Spilios Manolakopoulos
- 2nd Academic Department of Internal Medicine, Liver- GI Unit, General Hospital of Athens "Hippocration", National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 114 Vas. Sofias str, 11527, Athens, Greece.
- Academic Department of Gastroenterology, General Hospital of Athens "Laiko", National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
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Liu Y, Yuan S, Zuo J, Liu S, Tang X, Li X, Yao D, Jin Y. A J-shaped relationship between body mass index and the risk of elevated liver stiffness: a cross-sectional study. Eur J Med Res 2023; 28:557. [PMID: 38049896 PMCID: PMC10696772 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-023-01543-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Liver stiffness (LS) is regarded as an indicator of the stages of liver fibrosis and liver cirrhosis. Numerous studies have investigated the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and LS; however, the conclusions remain controversial. In the current study, we utilized transient elastography (TE) technique, which could measure LS in a non-painful and noninvasive way, to explore the relationship between BMI and the risk of elevated LS in common community residents. METHODS 5791 participants were included in the present study. To calculate BMI value, height and weight of the participants were carefully measured. Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) > 9.1 kPa was considered as a cutoff suggesting elevated LS. The relationship of BMI and risk of elevated LS was derived using generalized linear regression models, and the threshold effect was then analyzed by smooth curve fitting and segmented regression model. RESULTS Elevated LS was detected in 230 participants (3.97%) using the TE technique. After potential confounders were adjusted according to the individual's demographic variables, underlying comorbidities and blood biochemical test results, we observed a J-shaped relationship between BMI and the risk of elevated LS, with the inflection point at 23.05 kg/m2. The effect size (and confidence interval) was 0.84 (0.71, 0.98) on the left side of the inflection point, and 1.32 (1.24, 1.41) on the right side of it. CONCLUSIONS Our study found a novel J-shaped relationship between BMI and the risk of elevated LS assessed by TE technique. Abnormal BMI, either higher or lower, was associated with an increased risk of elevated LS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuwei Liu
- Department of General Practice, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China
| | - Sheng Yuan
- Department of General Practice, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China
| | - Jing Zuo
- Physical Examination Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China
| | - Sha Liu
- Department of General Practice, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China
| | - Xiaoyan Tang
- Department of General Practice, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China
| | - Xia Li
- Department of General Practice, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China
| | - Dongai Yao
- Physical Examination Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China.
| | - Yalei Jin
- Department of General Practice, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China.
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Cho H, Lee YB, Ha Y, Chon YE, Kim MN, Lee JH, Park H, Rim KS, Hwang SG. Changes in liver stiffness values assessed using transient elastography in chronic hepatitis B patients treated with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate: a prospective observational study. BMC Gastroenterol 2023; 23:210. [PMID: 37322445 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-023-02846-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Regression of liver fibrosis during antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients has been demonstrated, but data on the influence of long-term treatment with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) on liver stiffness (LS) measured by transient elastography are scarce. We aimed to investigate the changes in LS values during the 144-week TDF therapy in treatment-naïve CHB patients. METHODS This prospective observational study was conducted from April 2015 to July 2020 at CHA Bundang Medical Center. Laboratory tests and LS measurements were performed at baseline and repeated at weeks 12, 24, 48, 96, and 144. A significant decline in LS was defined as ≥ 30% decrease in LS value at week 96 from baseline. RESULTS A total of 48 treatment-naïve CHB patients initiating TDF therapy were screened, and 36 patients were included in the final analysis (median age, 46 [interquartile range, 34.5-55.8] years; 19 men [52.8%]). During TDF therapy, the median LS values decreased from 13.8 kPa at baseline to 8.7 kPa, 6.5 kPa, and 6.4 kPa at weeks 48, 96, and 144, respectively (all P < 0.001). At week 96, virological and biochemical responses were achieved in 34 (94.4%) patients and 20 (76.9%) patients, respectively. Moreover, 21 of 36 (58.3%) patients showed a significant decline in LS value. A higher baseline LS value was a single independent predictor for the reduction in LS value at week 96 from baseline (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS During the 144-week TDF therapy, LS values declined significantly in treatment-naïve CHB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heejin Cho
- Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun Bin Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Internal Medicine, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam, Korea.
| | - Yeonjung Ha
- Department of Internal Medicine, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Young Eun Chon
- Department of Internal Medicine, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Mi Na Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Joo Ho Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Hana Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam, Korea
- Health Screening and Promotion Center, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyu Sung Rim
- Department of Internal Medicine, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Seong Gyu Hwang
- Department of Internal Medicine, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam, Korea
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Kim MN, Lee JS, Lee HW, Kim BK, Park JY, Kim DY, Ahn SH, Jang SY, Tak WY, Kweon YO, Park SY, Kim SU. ALT Is Not Associated With Achieving Subcirrhotic Liver Stiffness and HCC During Entecavir Therapy in HBV-Related Cirrhosis. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022:S1542-3565(22)01050-3. [PMID: 36375797 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2022.10.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS We investigated whether baseline and on-treatment alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels during entecavir (ETV) therapy are associated with achieving subcirrhotic liver stiffness (LS) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related cirrhosis. METHODS We analyzed data from 347 treatment-naïve patients with HBV-related cirrhosis, who started ETV between 2006 and 2011 and were followed up for >5 years without developing HCC. The study outcomes were achieving subcirrhotic LS at 5 years of ETV, and risk of HCC development beyond 5 years of ETV. Subcirrhotic LS was defined as <12 kPa by transient elastography. RESULTS After 5 years of ETV, 227 (65.4%) patients achieved subcirrhotic LS. During a median follow-up of 9.2 years, 49 (14.1%) patients developed HCC beyond 5 years of ETV. ALT levels at baseline, at 1 year of ETV therapy, and 5 years of ETV therapy were not associated with the probability of achieving subcirrhotic LS at 5 years of ETV therapy or risk of HCC development beyond 5 years of ETV therapy (all P > .05). Patients achieving subcirrhotic LS at 5 years of ETV therapy had significantly lower risk of HCC development than those who did not (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.33; 95% confidence interval, 0.17-0.64; P = .001). CONCLUSIONS Baseline and on-treatment ALT levels were not associated with achieving subcirrhotic LS at 5 years of ETV therapy or with risk of HCC development beyond 5 years of ETV therapy in patients with HBV-related cirrhosis. Achieving subcirrhotic LS at 5 years of ETV therapy was independently associated with lower risk of HCC development beyond 5 years of ETV therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi Na Kim
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Republic of Korea; Clinical and Translational Hepatology Laboratory, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Seung Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Yonsei Liver Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Won Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Yonsei Liver Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Beom Kyung Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Yonsei Liver Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun Yong Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Yonsei Liver Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Do Young Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Yonsei Liver Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Hoon Ahn
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Yonsei Liver Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Se Young Jang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Won Young Tak
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Oh Kweon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo Young Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Up Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Yonsei Liver Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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Liu TW, Huang CF, Yeh ML, Tsai PC, Jang TY, Huang JF, Dai CY, Chuang WL, Yu ML. Less liver fibrosis marker increment in overweight chronic hepatitis B patients observed by age-adjusted Fibrosis-4 Index. BMJ Open Gastroenterol 2020; 7:bmjgast-2020-000543. [PMID: 33323472 PMCID: PMC7745320 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgast-2020-000543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and aims Chronic hepatitis B patients in Taiwan with no or limited liver injury are not reimbursed for antiviral treatment by the Taiwan National Health Insurance (NHI). Innovative fibrosis marker, age-adjusted Fibrosis-4 Index (FIB4-AA), was implemented to evaluate the tendency of liver fibrosis in these patients. Methods The FIB-4 indices of 256 antiviral treatment-naïve chronic hepatitis B patients at Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital from 2003 to 2019 were reviewed. The difference in initial FIB-4 and last FIB4-AA was treated as a categorical variable, representing the tendency of liver fibrosis in each individual aside from ageing. Logistic regression was implemented to evaluate the three parameters most dependent on increment of FIB4-AA: e seroconversion, body mass index (BMI) and initial FIB-4 index. Results The yearly FIB-4 growth rate of an individual without chronic hepatitis was lower than that of the study group (0.0237 vs 0.0273 for males, 0.02 vs 0.0288 for females). Patients undergoing or completing e seroconversion were less prone to increment of FIB4-AA (p=0.036, OR 0.524). Logistic regression revealed that BMI ≥25 kg/m2 significantly less increment of FIB4-AA (p=0.001, OR 0.383, 95% CI 0.212 to 0.690), while patients with initial FIB-4 <1.29 were prone to increasing liver FIB4-AA (p=0.000, OR 3.687, 95% CI 1.999 to 6.797). Conclusion Chronic hepatitis B patients not meeting the reimbursement criteria of the Taiwan NHI are prone to increment of liver fibrosis marker. Overweight is associated with less increment of fibrosis marker, while initial FIB-4 <1.29 is associated with increasing fibrosis marker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ta-Wei Liu
- College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Internal Medicine, Pingtung Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Pingtung, Taiwan.,Hepatitis Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Chung Ho Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Feng Huang
- College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Hepatitis Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Chung Ho Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Lun Yeh
- College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Hepatitis Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Chung Ho Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Chien Tsai
- College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Hepatitis Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Chung Ho Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Tyng-Yuan Jang
- Internal Medicine, Pingtung Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Pingtung, Taiwan.,Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Jee-Fu Huang
- College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Hepatitis Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Chung Ho Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yen Dai
- College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Hepatitis Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Chung Ho Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Long Chuang
- College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Hepatitis Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Chung Ho Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Lung Yu
- College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan .,Hepatitis Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Chung Ho Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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