LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP OF PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC HEPATITIS-B TREATED WITHINTERFERON-ALFA

Background & Aims: Therapy with interferon alfa (IFN-alpha) leads to r emission of disease in one third of patients with chronic hepatitis B. The aim of this study was to better define the long-term prognosis of this outcome. Methods: One hundred three patients with chronic hepati tis B who underwent IFN-alpha therapy in three clinical trials between 1984 and 1991 were followed up for serological status, biochemical ev idence of liver disease, and liver complications or mortality through 1994. Results: Among 103 patients, 31 (30%) responded to therapy with loss of hepatitis B e antigen and viral DNA from serum. Responders wer e more likely than nonresponders to be women, black, and to have more severe liver disease including cirrhosis (P < 0.05). Up to 11 years (m ean, 6.2 years) after therapy, a higher percentage of responders than nonresponders were still negative for hepatitis B e antigen (94% vs. 4 0%; P < 0.001) and hepatitis 3 surface antigen (71% vs 8.3%; P < 0.001 ). Overall, the rate of liver-related complications and death did not differ by IFN-a response, but with adjustment for cirrhosis, nonrespon ders had higher rates of liver-related complications and mortality (ha zard ratio, 13.7; 95% confidence interval, 3.0-63.5). Conclusions: The response to IFN-alpha therapy in chronic hepatitis B is usually a sus tained improvement in disease markers and, when cirrhosis is considere d, patient outcome.