Improvement of liver function and non-invasive fibrosis markers in hepatitis B virus-associated cirrhosis: 2years of entecavir treatment

Abstract

Background and Aim: Entecavir (ETV) induces biochemical and histologic improvement of the liver in patients with chronic hepatitis B. This study aimed to confirm that 2 years of ETV treatment improves liver function and non-invasive fibrosis markers in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated cirrhosis. Methods: A total 472 naive patients with HBV-associated cirrhosis was treated with ETV for at least 2 years, between March 2007 and December 2012. Model for end-stage liver disease and Child-Pugh (CP) score were used to evaluate the improvement of liver function. Aspartate transaminase to platelet ratio index, FIB-4 index, and fibrosis index were used to evaluate the improvement of fibrosis. Results: The final 370 of 472 patients with HBV-associated cirrhosis were enrolled. Mean age was 51 +/- 10 years, and 240 patients (64.9%) were men. The distribution of CP class was 71.1% in A, 24.6% in B, and 4.3% in C. Mean end-stage liver disease and CP score changed over the study period from 8.5 +/- 4.6 to 6.2 +/- 4.2 (P<0.001) and from 6.2 +/- 1.6 to 5.6 +/- 0.9 (P<0.001), respectively. Aspartate transaminase to platelet ratio index, FIB-4 index, and fibrosis index changed from 3.6 +/- 4.5 to 1.5 +/- 1.5 (P<0.001), from 7.0 +/- 6.2 to 3.9 +/- 2.8 (P<0.001), and from 3.3 +/- 0.9 to 2.5 +/- 1.1 (P<0.001), respectively. Conclusions: After 2 years of treatment, ETV improves liver function and non-invasive fibrosis markers in patients with HBV-associated cirrhosis.