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Huang D, Lai H, Zhu Z, Yu H, Peng J, Chen Y, Liao X, Chen J. Inverse relationship between HBV DNA levels and liver histopathological changes in immune-tolerant CHB patients. J Viral Hepat 2024; 31:363-371. [PMID: 38581159 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Limited data exist regarding the association between hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels and liver histopathological changes in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) during the immune tolerant (IT) phase. In this study, we retrospectively analysed liver biopsy results from 150 adult IT-CHB patients. The liver tissue necroinflammation and fibrosis were evaluated by the Scheuer scoring system. Multivariate logistic regression, smooth curve fitting, and segmented regression models were used to examine the association between HBV DNA levels and liver histopathological changes. A total of 26%, 30.67% and 42% of IT patients had significant necroinflammation (≥G2), significant fibrosis (≥S2) and significant histopathological changes (≥G2 and/or ≥S2), respectively. HBV DNA levels were independently and non-linear inversely associated with significant necroinflammation and histopathological changes in IT-CHB patients. Patients with HBV DNA levels <107 IU/mL had a higher risk of significant histopathological changes compared to those with levels >107 IU/mL. The findings were further confirmed by smooth curve fitting analyses, subgroup and sensitivity analyses. In segmented regression model analyses, the optimal DNA value for the lowest odds ratio of significant histopathological changes was 7.26 log10 IU/mL. A non-linear inverse association between HBV DNA levels and significant histopathological changes in IT-CHB patients. DNA 7.26 log10 IU/mL may serve as a potential cut-off point to define a 'true immune tolerant phase' with minimal liver histopathological changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deliang Huang
- Department of Liver Diseases, The Third People's Hospital of Shenzhen, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Huiyi Lai
- Department of Liver Diseases, The Third People's Hospital of Shenzhen, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhibin Zhu
- Department of Liver Diseases, The Third People's Hospital of Shenzhen, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Hong Yu
- Department of Pathology, The Third People's Hospital of Shenzhen, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jinghan Peng
- Department of Liver Diseases, The Third People's Hospital of Shenzhen, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuanyuan Chen
- Department of Liver Diseases, The Third People's Hospital of Shenzhen, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xuejiao Liao
- Department of Liver Diseases, The Third People's Hospital of Shenzhen, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jun Chen
- Department of Liver Diseases, The Third People's Hospital of Shenzhen, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
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Lin HC, Jeng WJ, Liu J, Pan MH, Lee MH, Batrla-Utermann R, Lu SN, Chen CF, Yang HI, Chen CJ. Persistently high HBsAg levels during HBeAg-seropositive stage predict lower risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis B patients. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2024; 59:993-1002. [PMID: 38410882 DOI: 10.1111/apt.17915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND High hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) level predicts hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with low viral load. The role of longitudinal HBsAg levels in predicting HCC in HBeAg-positive CHB patients remains unknown. METHOD HBeAg-positive CHB participants from the REVEAL-HBV cohort with ≥2 HBsAg measurements before HBeAg seroclearance were enrolled. Group-based trajectory modelling identified distinct HBsAg trajectory groups during a median of 11 years of HBeAg-positive status. Cox regression models were applied for investigating independent predictors of HCC and estimating adjusted hazard ratio (HRadj) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS A total of 319 patients were enrolled and classified by HBsAg trajectory patterns as (A) persistently high group (n = 72): HBsAg persistently ≥104 IU/mL, and (B) non-stationary group (n = 233): low HBsAg at baseline or declining to <104 IU/mL during the follow-up. Group B had higher proportions of abnormal ALT levels, HBV genotype C and basal core mutation than group A (p < 0.05); age at entry and gender were comparable. The annual incidence of HCC in group A and group B were 0.37% and 1.16%, respectively (p = 0.03). In multivariate analysis, age >40 years (HRadj [95% CI] = 4.11 [2.26-7.48]), genotype C (HRadj [95% CI] = 4.39 [1.96-9.81]) and the non-stationary group (HRadj [95% CI] = 3.50 [1.49-8.21]) were independent predictors of HCC. Basal core promoter mutation was the only risk factor of HCC in the persistently high HBsAg group (HRadj [95% CI] = 32.75 [5.41-198.42]). CONCLUSION Patients with persistently high HBsAg levels during HBeAg-seropositive stage represent a unique population with low risk of HCC development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsin-Che Lin
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Juei Jeng
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
- Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
| | - Jessica Liu
- Perinatal Epidemiology and Health Outcomes Research Unit, Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Stanford University and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Mei-Hung Pan
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Hsuan Lee
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | | | - Sheng-Nan Lu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chuen-Fei Chen
- Mackay Medical College Department of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hwai-I Yang
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei City, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Biomedical Translation Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Doctoral Program of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Jen Chen
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
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Sonderup MW, Spearman CW. HBV elimination in Africa-Current status and challenges. Clin Liver Dis (Hoboken) 2024; 23:e0166. [PMID: 38707243 PMCID: PMC11068139 DOI: 10.1097/cld.0000000000000166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
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Feld JJ, King WC, Ghany MG, Chang KM, Terrault N, Perrillo RP, Khalili M, Hinerman AS, Janssen HLA, Lok AS. Characteristics of Older Patients With Immunotolerant Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 21:1503-1512.e4. [PMID: 35843468 PMCID: PMC10363409 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2022.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Most patients in the immunotolerant (IT) phase of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) transition to the immune active (IA-hepatitis B surface antigen [HBeAg]+) phase by early adulthood. We examined characteristics of adults in the IT vs IA-HBeAg+ phase and rate of transition from IT to other phases of CHB, with a focus on those ≥40 years. METHODS Demographic, clinical, and virologic characteristics of participants in the Hepatitis B Research Network adult cohort study with IT CHB (alanine aminotransferase ≤1.5 × upper limit of normal, hepatitis B virus DNA >107 IU/mL) were compared by age category, and to those with IA-HBeAg+ CHB in cross-sectional analysis. This study received institutional review board approval at all participating centers. RESULTS Of 107 adult IT participants, 52 (48%) were <30, 33 (31%) were 30 to 39, and 22 (21%) were ≥40 years old (maximum, 71 years). Among IT groups, the proportion born in Asia and duration of CHB were greater in older IT groups, but virologic and liver disease characteristics were similar. Compared with IA-HBeAg+ participants (n = 192), IT participants were younger, fewer were men, more were Asian, and platelets, qHBsAg, and qHBeAg levels were higher. Similar differences were observed when comparisons were made with the ≥40 years IT group. Among IT participants, 60 (56%) transitioned during 206 person-years of follow-up. The phase transition rate per 100 person-years was highest in the <30 years group (33.0 [95% confidence interval [CI], 23.4-46.7]) vs the 30 to 39 years group (24.8 [95% CI, 15.6-39.4]) and ≥40 group (27.4 [95% CI, 14.8-50.9]), but 95% CIs overlapped. CONCLUSIONS In a large North American population, over 50% of adults in the IT phase of CHB were ≥30 years and 20% were ≥40 years old, but older IT patients had similar characteristics and rates of transition as younger IT patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan J Feld
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Wendy C King
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Marc G Ghany
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Kyong-Mi Chang
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VAMC, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Norah Terrault
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | | | - Mandana Khalili
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Amanda S Hinerman
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Harry LA Janssen
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anna S Lok
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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Lee HA, Kim SU, Seo YS, Ahn SH, Rim CH. Comparable outcomes between immune-tolerant and active phases in noncirrhotic chronic hepatitis B: a meta-analysis. Hepatol Commun 2023; 7:e0011. [PMID: 36691962 PMCID: PMC9851695 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antiviral therapy is not indicated for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in the immune-tolerant (IT) phase. We compared the outcomes between the untreated IT phase and the treated immune-active (IA) phase in noncirrhotic HBeAg-positive CHB patients. METHODS We systematically searched 4 databases, including PubMed, Medline, Embase, and Cochrane, until August 2021. The pooled incidence rates of HCC and mortality in the IT and IA cohorts and phase change in the IT cohort were investigated. Studies that included patients with liver cirrhosis were excluded. RESULTS Thirteen studies involving 11,903 patients were included. The overall median of the median follow-up period was 62.4 months. The pooled 5-year and 10-year incidence rates of HCC were statistically similar between the IT and IA cohorts (1.1%, 95% CI: 0.4%-2.8% vs. 1.1%, 95% CI: 0.5%-2.3%, and 2.7%, 95% CI: 1.0%-7.3% vs. 3.6%, 95% CI: 2.4%-5.5%, respectively, all p>0.05). The pooled 5-year odds ratio of HCC between IT and IA cohorts was 1.05 (95% CI: 0.32-3.45; p=0.941). The pooled 5-year incidence rate of mortality was statistically similar between the IT and IA cohorts (1.9%, 95% CI: 1.1%-3.4% vs. 1.0%, 95% CI: 0.3%-2.9%, p=0.285). Finally, the pooled 5-year incidence rate of phase change in the IT cohort was 36.1% (95% CI: 29.5%-43.2%). CONCLUSION The pooled incidence rates of HCC and mortality were comparable between the untreated IT and the treated IA phases in noncirrhotic HBeAg-positive CHB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Ah Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seung Up Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Yonsei Liver Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yeon Seok Seo
- Departments of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sang Hoon Ahn
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Yonsei Liver Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chai Hong Rim
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
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Lim YS, Ahn SH, Shim JJ, Razavi H, Razavi-Shearer D, Sinn DH. Impact of expanding hepatitis B treatment guidelines: A modelling and economic impact analysis. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2022; 56:519-528. [PMID: 35614532 DOI: 10.1111/apt.17052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antiviral treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) may decrease the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and death. However, only 2.2% of CHB patients receive antiviral treatment globally. The complexity and strictness of the current clinical practice guidelines may limit expanding the treatment coverage for CHB. AIMS To examine the impact of expanding treatment criteria on future disease burden in Korea, a hepatitis B virus (HBV) endemic country with high diagnostic rates. MATERIALS Dynamic country-level data were used to estimate the HCC incidence, overall mortality and economic impact of three incremental scenarios compared to the base case in Korea through 2035. RESULTS In 2020, 1,409,000 CHB cases were estimated, with the majority born before 1995. All scenarios assumed treating 70% of eligible individuals. The first scenario removed viral load restrictions in cirrhotic patients, which would avert 13,000 cases of HCC and save 11,800 lives. The second scenario, lowering the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level restriction to the upper limit of the normal in non-cirrhotic patients, would avert 26,700 cases of HCC and save 23,300 lives. The last scenario removed the restriction by ALT and HBeAg in treating non-cirrhotic individuals with a viral load of ≥2000 IU/ml, which would avert 43,300 cases of HCC and save 37,000 lives. All scenarios were highly cost-effective. CONCLUSIONS Simplifying and expanding treatment eligibility for CHB would save many lives and be highly cost-effective when combined with high diagnostic rates. These dynamic country-level data may provide new insights for their global application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young-Suk Lim
- Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Hoon Ahn
- Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Jun Shim
- Kyung Hee University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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KASL clinical practice guidelines for management of chronic hepatitis B. Clin Mol Hepatol 2022; 28:276-331. [PMID: 35430783 PMCID: PMC9013624 DOI: 10.3350/cmh.2022.0084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
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Development of hepatocellular carcinoma from various phases of chronic hepatitis B virus infection. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0261878. [PMID: 34962955 PMCID: PMC8714106 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background & aims There is insufficient data on the clinical course of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients in the immune-tolerant (IT) and immune-clearance, inactive (IC) phases over a long follow-up period. Design We enrolled 466 CHB patients from our historical cohort, including 56 IT+MA (mildly active), 134 IC, 230 with chronic active hepatitis (CH) and 46 with liver cirrhosis (LC), who were categorized to each phase by at least one year of follow-up period from the first visit to our hospital. We investigated long-term risks, and their factors, of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and the transition between the clinical phases, especially in the IT+MA and IC groups. Results Of the 56 patients in the IT+MA group, 27 remained the IT+MA phase, but 29 transitioned to the CH phase and started nucleot(s)ide analogue (NA) treatment during the follow-up period. Meanwhile, of the 134 patients in the IC group, only 5 started NA treatment after progressing to the CH phase. The development of HCC from the IT+MA, IC, CH, and LC groups was observed in 2, 2, 9, and 20 cases, respectively. The cumulative incidence rates of developing HCC in the IT+MA, IC, CH, and LC groups were 9.9, 1.8, 3.0, and 53.1% at 10 years. In the CH and LC group, patients who developed HCC were older, had higher levels of FIB-4 index, M2BPGi, HBcrAg and AFP, and had lower levels of albumin and platelet counts. In CH patients, FIB-4 index levels were elevated at the diagnosis of HCC compared to baseline, whereas these decreased during the follow-up period in non-HCC patients. Conclusions HCC occurred at a certain rate among patients in the IT+MA and IC groups. Careful follow-up is required for CH patients with higher levels of FIB-4 index and/or M2BPGi because of the high incidence of HCC development. (299 words)
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Kawanaka M, Nishino K, Kawamoto H, Haruma K. Hepatitis B: Who should be treated?-managing patients with chronic hepatitis B during the immune-tolerant and immunoactive phases. World J Gastroenterol 2021; 27:7497-7508. [PMID: 34887645 PMCID: PMC8613739 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i43.7497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 10/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
New hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections are decreasing owing to improved antiviral therapy and increased HBV vaccination worldwide; however, the number of HBV infections remains a major cause of liver carcinogenesis. HBV triggers cytotoxic immunity to eliminate HBV-infected cells. Therefore, the HBV pathophysiology changes in persistently infected individuals depending on host immune responses and HBV DNA proliferation state. To prevent liver cirrhosis and carcinogenesis caused by HBV, it is important to treat HBV infection at an early stage. Active treatment is recommended for the immunoactive hepatitis B surface-antigen-positive and -negative phase, but not during the immune-inactive phase or immune-tolerant phase; instead, follow-up is recommended. However, these patients should be monitored through regular blood tests to accurately diagnose the immune-inactive or -tolerant phases. The treatment regimen should be determined based on the age, sex, family history of liver cancer, and liver fibrosis status of patients. Early treatment is often recommended due to various problems during the immune-tolerant phase. This review compares the four major international practice guidelines, including those from the Japanese Society of Hepatology, and discusses strategies for chronic hepatitis B treatment during the immune-tolerant, immune-inactive, and resolved phases. Finally, recommended hepatitis B antiviral therapy and follow-up protocols are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miwa Kawanaka
- Department of General Internal Medicine 2, General Medical Center, Kawasaki Medical School, Okayama 700-8505, Japan
| | - Ken Nishino
- Department of General Internal Medicine 2, General Medical Center, Kawasaki Medical School, Okayama 700-8505, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Kawamoto
- Department of General Internal Medicine 2, General Medical Center, Kawasaki Medical School, Okayama 700-8505, Japan
| | - Ken Haruma
- Department of General Internal Medicine 2, General Medical Center, Kawasaki Medical School, Okayama 700-8505, Japan
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Jeng WJ, Lok AS. Should Treatment Indications for Chronic Hepatitis B Be Expanded? Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 19:2006-2014. [PMID: 32434068 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2020.04.091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIM Antiviral therapy has greatly improved the outcomes of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and active liver disease or advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis. However, current treatment does not eradicate HBV and long-term treatment is needed in most patients to maintain clinical benefit. Thus, professional society guidelines do not recommend treatment of all patients with chronic HBV infection. This review article will examine evidence for and against expansion of treatment to patients in whom treatment is not recommended based on current guidelines. RESULTS Available data support expanding treatment to immune tolerant patients and patients in the grey zones who have evidence of active/advanced liver disease based on liver biopsy or non-invasive tests and those who remain in the immune tolerant phase after age 40. Evidence supporting treatment expansion to confirmed inactive carriers and other immune tolerant patients is lacking. CONCLUSIONS HBV treatment indications can be more liberal when new therapies that can achieve HBsAg loss safely in a high percentage of patients after a finite course of treatment are available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Juei Jeng
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou branch, Taiwan; Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taiwan
| | - Anna S Lok
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
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Na JE, Sinn DH, Lee JH, Jang HJ, Baek SY, Kim KA, Kang WS, Gwak GY, Paik YH, Kim YJ, Choi MS, Yoon JH, Lee JH, Koh KC, Paik SW. Efficacy of entecavir versus tenofovir in preventing hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic hepatitis B with maintained virologic response. J Viral Hepat 2021; 28:1392-1399. [PMID: 34251707 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Several studies suggested that efficacy of tenofovir in reducing the risk of the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) might be better than that of entecavir. It remains unknown whether a change in therapy can further reduce the risk of HCC in patients receiving entecavir therapy and achieved goal of antiviral therapy, a maintained undetectable hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA level in the serum. METHODS A total of 1336 treatment-naïve chronic HBV mono-infected adult patients, who started entecavir or tenofovir treatment and achieved a maintained virologic response during follow-up were analysed. RESULTS During a median 4.4 years of follow-up (range, 1.0-7.4 years) after achieving virologic response, 99 patients developed HCC. The 5-year cumulative HCC incidence rate was 7.3% and 6.3% for the entecavir and tenofovir groups, respectively, with similar risk of HCC between the two groups (adjusted HR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.52-1.29; p = 0.3). The risk of HCC was similar in the propensity score-matched cohort (HR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.68-1.52; p = 0.94) and inverse probability treatment weighting analysis (HR, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.74-1.66; p = 0.62). In the subgroup analysis, HCC risk was similar between the two drugs in both patients with and without cirrhosis. DISCUSSION In patients showing maintained virologic response, no difference in the risk of HCC between entecavir and tenofovir was observed. This indicates entecavir might be as effective as tenofovir in the prevention of HCC among those patients and suggest that a change in therapy in anticipation of further reducing the risk of HCC might not be necessary for patients receiving entecavir and showing virologic response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Eun Na
- Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dong Hyun Sinn
- Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jeong-Hoon Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hee Joon Jang
- Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seon Yeong Baek
- Statistics and Data Center, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyung A Kim
- Statistics and Data Center, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Won Seok Kang
- Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Geum-Youn Gwak
- Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young-Han Paik
- Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yoon Jun Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Moon Seok Choi
- Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jung-Hwan Yoon
- Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Joon Hyeok Lee
- Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kwang Cheol Koh
- Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seung Woon Paik
- Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Treatment of hepatitis B virus infection in chronic infection with HBeAg-positive adult patients (immunotolerant patients): a systematic review. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 33:605-609. [PMID: 32947420 DOI: 10.1097/meg.0000000000001907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
Recently, a controversial approach suggesting the early treatment of chronic infection with hepatitis B "e" antigen-positive patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, has been proposed. The objective of this study is to systematically review medical literature regarding treatment of HBV infection in adult chronic infection with HBeAg-positive patients. A systematic review was performed according to the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis statement. Original studies that evaluated the effect of antivirals in adult chronic infection with HBeAg-positive patients were included. The outcomes of interest were viral load suppression, the loss/seroconversion of HBeAg, the loss/seroconversion of hepatitis B surface antigen, and the development of cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. The search for eligible studies was performed in Excerpta Medica dataBASE, PubMed and Cochrane databases until January 2020, without language or date restriction. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for observational studies and the Revised Cochrane Risk-of-Bias Tool for randomized controlled trials. Two hundred ninety-six articles were retrieved. After analyzing titles and abstracts, 287 articles were excluded and nine were considered potentially eligible. From these, five were excluded after full-text analysis. Finally, four articles were included. Only two were randomized controlled trials. All studies were carried out in Asian patients. Results were variable with regard to viral load, negativation/seroconversion of HBeAg and HBsAg. One study demonstrated that treated patients developed cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma less frequently than untreated individuals. Overall, the studies were of poor quality. In conclusion, the present systematic review demonstrated that, at present, there is not enough evidence to recommend treating this population of patients.
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Lee H, Kim BK, Jang S, Ahn SH. Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Antiviral Therapy for Untreated Minimally Active Chronic Hepatitis B to Prevent Liver Disease Progression. Clin Transl Gastroenterol 2021; 12:e00299. [PMID: 33600103 PMCID: PMC7889372 DOI: 10.14309/ctg.0000000000000299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Antiviral therapy (AVT) for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) can prevent liver disease progression. Because of its stringent reimbursement criteria, significant numbers of patients with untreated minimally active (UMA)-CHB exist, although they are still subject to disease progression. We thus performed a cost-effectiveness analysis to assess the rationale for AVT for UMA-CHB. METHODS We compared cost and effectiveness (quality-adjusted life years, QALYs) in virtual UMA-CHB cohorts of 10,000 50-year-olds receiving AVT (scenario 1) vs no treatment (scenario 2) for 10 years. A Markov model, including 7 health states of CHB-related disease progression, was used. Values for transition probabilities and costs were mostly obtained from recent South Korean data. RESULTS The simulation of AVT vs no treatment predicted $2,201 incremental costs and 0.175 incremental QALYs per patient for 10 years, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $12,607/QALY, suggesting cost-effectiveness of AVT. In sum, if 10,000 patients received AVT, 720 incident hepatocellular carcinoma and 465 CHB-related more deaths could be averted in 10 years relative to no treatment. When the simulated analysis period was extended to 20 years, AVT was also highly cost-effective with an ICER of $2,036/QALY. Although hepatocellular carcinoma-related mortality was a major factor influencing ICER, its fluctuation can be accepted within willingness to pay of $33,000 in South Korea. According to probabilistic sensitivity analysis with the threshold of willingness to pay, the probability of AVT cost-effectiveness was 83.3%. DISCUSSION Long-term AVT for patients with UMA-CHB may contribute positively toward individual clinical benefit and national health care budget.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hankil Lee
- Graduate School of Public Health, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Beom Kyung Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Yonsei Liver Center, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungin Jang
- Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Hoon Ahn
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Yonsei Liver Center, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Lee HW, Chon YE, Kim BK, Yip TCF, Tse YK, Wong GLH, Wong VWS, Chan HLY, Ahn SH. Negligible HCC risk during stringently defined untreated immune-tolerant phase of chronic hepatitis B. Eur J Intern Med 2021; 84:68-73. [PMID: 33288393 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejim.2020.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 10/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Whether chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients during immune-tolerant (IT) phase are at low risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still controversial. We performed a multicenter study to determine their long-term prognosis. METHODS Untreated IT group included patients < 40 years of age, with persistently hepatitis B e antigen [HBeAg] positivity, serum HBV-DNA>6 log10IU/mL, and ALT level < 40 U/L, using age and HBV-DNA criteria by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) guideline. Cumulative HCC risk of untreated IT group (n=194) was compared to HBeAg-positive patients undergoing antiviral therapy according to the practice and reimbursement guidelines (treated HBeAg[+] group, n=454). Patients with history of cirrhosis or HCC at baseline were excluded. RESULTS During follow-up (median 62.1 months), HCC did not develop in any patient among untreated IT group, whereas the cumulative probability of HCC at 3, 5, and 9 years in the treated HBeAg(+) group was 0.5%, 0.7%, and 1.3%, respectively (p=0.203). Ninety-seven patients among untreated IT group entered immune-active phase, of whom 86 (88.7%) started antiviral treatment. A high normal ALT level (20-39 U/L) was associated with an increased risk of a phase change, compared to ALT < 20 U/L. After censoring at the time of phase change, the cumulative HCC risk was also not significantly different between two groups (p=0.258). CONCLUSIONS No actual HCC risk during untreated IT phase defined by age and HBV-DNA criteria of the AASLD guideline exists, supporting their diagnostic validity from the perspective of long-term prognosis. Further validation studies are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye Won Lee
- Department of Internal medicine, Yonsei University College of medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Yonsei Liver Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Eun Chon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Cha Bundang Medical Center, Cha University, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Beom Kyung Kim
- Department of Internal medicine, Yonsei University College of medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Yonsei Liver Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Terry Cheuk-Fung Yip
- Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yee-Kit Tse
- Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Grace Lai-Hung Wong
- Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Vincent Wai-Sun Wong
- Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Henry Lik-Yuen Chan
- Institute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Sang Hoon Ahn
- Department of Internal medicine, Yonsei University College of medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Yonsei Liver Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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Lee HA, Lee HW, Kim IH, Park SY, Sinn DH, Yu JH, Seo YS, Um SH, Lee JI, Lee KS, Lee CH, Tak WY, Kweon YO, Kang W, Paik YH, Lee JW, Suh SJ, Jung YK, Kim BK, Park JY, Kim DY, Ahn SH, Han KH, Yim HJ, Kim SU. Extremely low risk of hepatocellular carcinoma development in patients with chronic hepatitis B in immune-tolerant phase. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2020; 52:196-204. [PMID: 32452564 DOI: 10.1111/apt.15741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anti-viral therapy is not indicated for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in the immune-tolerant phase. AIMS To investigate the cumulative incidence of phase change and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and independent predictors for phase change in patients with CHB in immune-tolerant phase. METHODS In total, 946 patients in immune-tolerant phase, defined as hepatitis B e antigen positivity, HBV-DNA >20 000 IU/mL and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≤40 IU/L, between 1989 and 2017 were enrolled from eight institutes. RESULTS The mean age of study population (429 men and 517 women) was 36.7 years. The mean ALT and HBV-DNA levels were 24.6 IU/L and 8.50 log10 IU/mL, respectively. Of the study population, 476 (50.3%) patients remained in immune-tolerant phase throughout the study period (median: 63.6 months). The cumulative incidence rates of phase change and HCC at 10 years were 70.7% and 1.7%, respectively. Multivariate analyses revealed that HBV-DNA level >107 IU/mL was associated independently with a reduced risk of phase change (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.734, P = 0.008), whereas a high ALT level, above the cut-off recommended in the Korean Association for the Study of the Liver guidelines (34 IU/L for men and 30 IU/L for women), was associated independently with a greater risk of phase change (HR = 1.885, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The criterion of HBV-DNA level > 107 IU/mL may be useful to define immune-tolerant phase. In addition, an extremely low risk of HCC development was observed in patients with CHB in immune-tolerant phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Ah Lee
- Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyun Woong Lee
- Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - In Hee Kim
- Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Korea
| | - Soo Young Park
- School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea
| | - Dong Hyun Sinn
- Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jung Hwan Yu
- Inha University Hospital, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
| | | | - Soon Ho Um
- Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jung Il Lee
- Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kwan Sik Lee
- Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chang Hun Lee
- Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Korea
| | - Won Young Tak
- School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea
| | - Young Oh Kweon
- School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea
| | - Wonseok Kang
- Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yong-Han Paik
- Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jin-Woo Lee
- Inha University Hospital, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
| | - Sang Jun Suh
- Korea University Ansan Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Ansan, Korea
| | - Young Kul Jung
- Korea University Ansan Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Ansan, Korea
| | - Beom Kyung Kim
- Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Yonsei Liver Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jun Yong Park
- Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Yonsei Liver Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Do Young Kim
- Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Yonsei Liver Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sang Hoon Ahn
- Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Yonsei Liver Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kwang-Hyub Han
- Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Yonsei Liver Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyung Joon Yim
- Korea University Ansan Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Ansan, Korea
| | - Seung Up Kim
- Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Yonsei Liver Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea
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Lee HW, Chan HLY. Unresolved issues of immune tolerance in chronic hepatitis B. J Gastroenterol 2020; 55:383-389. [PMID: 32016713 PMCID: PMC7080668 DOI: 10.1007/s00535-020-01665-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
During the natural course of chronic hepatitis B virus infection, immune-tolerant phase is characterized by high viral replication, the presence of HBV e antigen (HBeAg), and normal or minimally elevated serum alanine aminotransferase. Immune-tolerant phase is usually regarded as a benign course of the disease. International guidelines recommend observation rather than treatment during immune-tolerant phase. In this article, we review unresolved issues related to the definition of true immune-tolerant phase and the benefit of antiviral treatment. Defining true immune-tolerant phase requires a careful approach and long-term follow-up. In previous studies, many patients were misclassified as being immune-tolerant phase. Noninvasive methods of assessing fibrosis are warranted for patients in the immune-tolerant phase. Yet, there has been controversy over the benefit and harm of antiviral treatment for immune-tolerant phase patients. Thus, further larger scale studies are needed to investigate the prognosis of patients in true immune-tolerant phase and their need for antiviral therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye Won Lee
- grid.10784.3a0000 0004 1937 0482Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong ,grid.10784.3a0000 0004 1937 0482Insitute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong ,grid.15444.300000 0004 0470 5454Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Henry Lik-Yuen Chan
- grid.10784.3a0000 0004 1937 0482Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong ,grid.10784.3a0000 0004 1937 0482Insitute of Digestive Disease, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
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