HBV DNA loss in Bulgarian patients on NUC therapy. Speed related factors

Results:The median patient age was 51,83 ± 12,99 years.94 (22%) were HBeAg(+) positive and 333 (78%) were HBeAg(-) negative.111 (26%) patients had liver cirrhosis and 316(74%) had chronic hepatitis (244 -F0-F2 stage, and 72 -F3 stage).HBV DNA LOSS was achieved in 409 (95,7%) patients for a median period of 8,4 months.In 18 patients (4,3%) HBV DNA loss was not achieved (14,9 % of HBeAg(+) patients and 0,3% of the HBeAg (-) group).Cirrhotic patients had the fastest HBV DNA loss (6,1 months) irrespectively of their sex, age, therapeutic regime or viral load (p<0,0001).Patients treated with Tenofovir and Entecavir had slower loss than those, treated with Lamivudin (p<0,0001).The latter group had lower viral load at baseline, and 9,4% were HBeAg(+).Significant correlation was established between the HBV DNA loss rate and the viral load (p<0,0001). ConclusionIn our patients the viral response rate depended on the viral load and HBeAg status.No influence of therapeutic regime was established.Patients with liver cirrhosis had the fastest HBV DNA serum loss, though they did not have the lowest viral load.In HBe negative group older women (above 60) had the slowest viral loss and the older men had the fastest.In HBe(+) group the patient number is small for determination of sex differences, but there is a tendency for slower (approximately 16 months) loss in the youngest.