Efficacy and safety of telbivudine in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B

LIU Pei-xian; GE Xiu-lin

doi:10.3321/j.issn:1003-3734.2009.23.010

Abstract：Objective:To observe the efficacy and safety of telbivudine in the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis B. Methods:Patients with chronic hepatitis B (n =216) were randomly divided into two groups.The patients were treated with basic treatments ( control) ; or with oral telbivudine ( 600 mg,qd) for one year in addition of the same basic treatments. The levels of serum ALT and HBV DNA were detected in all the patients be-fore and after the treatments. In addition,the conversion of HBeAg into HBeAb and the clinical effects were ob-served. For pathological examination,the liver tissues from patients in telbivudine group were taken by needle biop-sy before and after the treatments,and in the follow-up period. Results: The recovery rate of serum ALT was 78. 6% and 73. 1% in telbivudine and control groups (P >0. 05). Serum HBV DNA was converted from positive to negative in some patients after the treatments,which was significantly higher (71.4% vs 5. 8% ,P <0. 01) in telbivudine group than in control group. The conversion rate of HBeAg to HBeAb was also higher (26. 8% vs 3. 8% ,P <0. 01) in telbivudine group. In mild,moderate and severe patients,HBV DNA conversion rates were 50% ,80. 8% and 78. 6,and HBeAg/HBeAb conversion rates were 9. 4% ,32. 7% and 35. 7%. Few adverse re-actions were observed overall the treatment duration. The inflammation in liver tissues was significantly attenuated in 76. 8% patients. Conclusion:Telbivudine can rapidly and effectively inhibit the replication of HBV DNA,and attenuate the liver tissue inflammation; the drug is safe as well.