Improvement of liver function and non-invasive fibrosis markers in hepatitis B virus-associated cirrhosis: 2years of entecavir treatment

Background and Aim: Entecavir (ETV) induces biochemical and histologic improvement of the liver in patients with chronic hepatitis B. This study aimed to confirm that 2years of ETV treatment improves liver function and non-invasive fibrosis markers in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated cirrhosis. Methods: A total 472 naïve patients with HBV-associated cirrhosis was treated with ETV for at least 2years, between March 2007 and December 2012. Model for end-stage liver disease and Child-Pugh (CP) score were used to evaluate the improvement of liver function. Aspartate transaminase to platelet ratio index, FIB-4 index, and fibrosis index were used to evaluate the improvement of fibrosis. Results: The final 370 of 472 patients with HBV-associated cirrhosis were enrolled. Mean age was 51±10years, and 240 patients (64.9%) were men. The distribution of CP class was 71.1% in A, 24.6% in B, and 4.3% in C. Mean end-stage liver disease and CP score changed over the study period from 8.5±4.6 to 6.2±4.2 (P<0.001) and from 6.2±1.6 to 5.6±0.9 (P<0.001), respectively. Aspartate transaminase to platelet ratio index, FIB-4 index, and fibrosis index changed from 3.6±4.5 to 1.5±1.5 (P<0.001), from 7.0±6.2 to 3.9±2.8 (P<0.001), and from 3.3±0.9 to 2.5±1.1 (P<0.001), respectively. Conclusions: After 2 years of treatment, ETV improves liver function and non-invasive fibrosis markers in patients with HBV-associated cirrhosis.