Aim:
This study aims to compare the efficacy of lamivudine (LAM) and interferon alpha (PEG-IFNα) monotherapies in HBeAg positive and HBeAg negative chronic hepatitis B.
Materials and Methods:
This study was carried out between the years 2003 and 2007 at the Medicine Faculty of Yuzuncu Yil University (YYU). Totally, 61 patients, who applied to the Gastroentrolgy Clinic at YYU have been diagnosed as chronic hepatitis B, and their responses to the treatment were retrospectively analyzed. Whereas sixteen patients had HBeAg positive, 45 patients had HBeAg negative. Lamivudin (LAM) mono-therapy, an avarage 24.4 ± 2.3 months, has been given to the 34 patients (HBeAg positive=8, HBeAg negative=26), PEG-IFNα monoterapy, an avarage 12±0 months, has been given to the 27 patients (HBeAg positive=8, HBeAg negative=19) and both of the treatment groups have been followed 6 months after the treatment.
Results:
There was no difference between groups for age (LAM: 39.8 years: PEG-IFNα:38.2 years, p>0.05). In each two treatment group, the differences among the rates of HBeAg positivity weren't statistically significant. There was no statistically significant difference between two treatment groups for HAI (Hepatic activity İndex) and FIB (Fibrosis) mean values (p>0.05). The levels of HBV DNA before treatment were accepted high if HbeAg positive patients have 105 copy/ml DNA and HbeAg negative patients have 104 copy/ml DNA. All of the patients have carried these criterions. The average ALT levels of the patients before the treatment were 129.0±15.5 and there was no statistically significant difference between two treatment groups for ALT (p>0,05).
Conclusion:
Permanent viral response between LAM and PEG-IFNα treatments are similar. Both of the treatments have been successful when compared to the literature. We did not observe any differences between two treatment modality. We, also, believe that the shortness of the observation time after the treatment and the bad compliance of the patients to the treatment have affected the rate of the success of treatment.
Keywords: Kronik Hepatitis B, peg-IFN, lamivudin