Prospective Observational Cohort Study for the Durability of Anti-viral Therapy in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B

Phase IV Study of Durability of Anti-viral Therapy in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B

The aim of this study is to investigate the off-treatment sustained virological and biochemical response in chronic hepatitis B patients following the guideline by the Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver (APASL) in Korea.

In the recommendation by the Asian PAcific Association for the Study of the Liver(APASL), antiviral drug is recommended to stop when HBeAg seroconversion has developed for more than 6 months among HBeAg-positive patietns. For HBeAg-negative patients, the APASL consensus recommended stopping anti-viral treatment when HBV DNA remained undetectable for three separates occasion 6 months apart. Nontheless, approximately 25% to 50% of the patients still develop hepatitis relapse after stopping anti-viral therapy even if these recommendations are followed. In this study, the investigators aimed to investigated the off-treatment sustained response in chronic hepatitis B parients following the stopping anti-viral treatment guideline in Korea.

Inclusion Criteria:

• More than 20 years old

• Chronic hepatitis B patients under anti-viral therapy

  1. In HBeAg-positive patient; if HBeAg seroconversion with undetectable HBV DNA is documented on two separate occasions at least 6 months
  2. In HBeAg-negative patient; if undetectable HBV DNA has been documented on three separate occasions 6 months apart

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients who had chronic liver disease due to hemochromatosis, autoimmune hepatitis, drug-induced hepatitis, or thalassemia
• Patients who suffered from other chronic medical condition