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© 2018. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

Background/Aims

The objective of our study was to determine the epidemiological, laboratory, and serological characteristics of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and normal transaminases. The study also aimed to evaluate liver damage by measuring the liver fibrosis (LF) grade and to identify possible factors associated with the presence of fibrosis.

Methods

A retrospective observational study was conducted in patients with chronic HBV infection and classified as inactive carriers or immune-tolerant. Epidemiological variables of age, sex, immigrant, alcohol consumption, and body mass index (BMI), as well as virological variables (HBV DNA) and transaminase level were collected throughout the follow-up. The LF grade was evaluated by transient elastography. The cutoff value for significant fibrosis (SF) was liver stiffness ≥7.9 kPa.

Results

A total of 214 patients were included in the analysis, and 62% of them had a BMI ≥25 kg/m2. During follow-up, 4% of patients showed transaminase elevation (<1.5 times normal). Most patients had a viral DNA level <2,000 IU/mL (83%). Data on LF were available in 160 patients; of these, 14% had SF, 9% F3, and 6% F4. The variables associated with the presence of SF were transaminase alteration during follow-up, as 23% of patients with SF had elevated transaminases versus 3% of patients without SF (P<0.005), and BMI, as the vast majority of patients with SF (88%) had a BMI ≥25 kg/m2 versus 56% of patients without SF (P<0.05).

Conclusions

In patients with chronic HBV infection and normal transaminases, liver damage does not seem to be related to DNA levels, alcohol consumption, or immigrant status. SF seems to be associated with transaminase alteration during follow-up and elevated BMI. It is therefore recommended to measure LF grade with validated non-invasive methods in such patients.

Details

Title
Characterization and evaluation of liver fibrosis grade in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection and normal transaminases
Author
San Juan López Cristina  VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Casado, Martín Marta; González Sánchez Mercedes; Porcel, Martín Almudena; Hernández Martínez Álvaro; Vega Sáenz Jose Luis; Parrón Carreño Tesifón
Pages
384-391
Section
Original Article
Publication year
2018
Publication date
Dec 2018
Publisher
Korean Association for the Study of the Liver
ISSN
22872728
e-ISSN
2287285X
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
3125556160
Copyright
© 2018. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.