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Current Hepatology Reports
Published in: Current Hepatology Reports 2/2024

23-02-2024 | Hepatitis B | Review

When to Stop Antiviral Therapy in HBeAg-Negative Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B?

Author: Yun-Fan Liaw

Published in: Current Hepatology Reports | Issue 2/2024

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

The strategy of finite nucleos(t)ide analogue (Nuc) therapy in HBeAg-negative patients has been increasingly accepted globally, and when to stop therapy has become an important issue. This review aimed to address this issue.

Recent Findings

The incidence of off-therapy relapse is lower with lower end-of-therapy (EOT) HBsAg level. Pretherapy HBV DNA < 20,000 IU/mL, on-treatment HBV DNA undetectable by week 12, treatment duration > 3 years, on-treatment HBsAg decline > 1 log10 IU/mL, and EOT HBsAg < 100 IU/mL are also factors for increasing off-therapy HBsAg loss. Off-therapy hepatitis flare may occasionally deteriorate to hepatic decompensation, which can be prevented/rescued by timely retreatment whereas “no-retreatment” is an important factor for HBsAg loss.

Summary

All patients meeting recommended stopping criteria are eligible for Nuc withdrawal. The favorable factors for low relapse rate and high HBsAg loss rate can be used to encourage patients to stop Nuc therapy and adhere to off-Nuc monitoring plan.
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Metadata
Title
When to Stop Antiviral Therapy in HBeAg-Negative Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B?
Author
Yun-Fan Liaw
Publication date
23-02-2024
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Hepatology Reports / Issue 2/2024
Electronic ISSN: 2195-9595
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11901-024-00663-6

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Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

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WHO estimates that half of all patients worldwide are non-adherent to their prescribed medication. The consequences of poor adherence can be catastrophic, on both the individual and population level.

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