LONG-TERM EFFECT OF INTERFERON-ALPHA ALONE OR AFTER PREDNISONE WITHDRAWAL IN CHRONIC HEPATITIS-B - INTERIM-REPORT AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Background/Aims: This study analyzed the response of two selected grou ps of asymptomatic chronic hepatitis B patients, treated either with I nterferon or with Prednisone pills the same regimen of Interferon, on finalizing treatment and after a longterm follow-zip. Patients and Met hods: Twelve patients received Interferon over 6 months (group I) and 7 patients Prednisone plus Interferon with the same regimen (group II) . Both groups were homogeneous in, age, sexual preferences, serum ALT levels, liver histology and Knodell's index. Patients with decompensat ed liver disease, ongoing drug abuse, active alcoholism or viral super infections were excluded. Results: On finalizing treatment, no statist ical differences were observed in either group, except for clearance o f HBsAg, found to be better in group II. Both treatments improved hepa tic histology. These results were comparable with those reported for b oth therapeutical regimens in the literature. After a mean follow-up p eriod of 1.8 years for group I and 3.5 years for group II, no patient included in, group II relapsed and 2 additionally cleared their replic ation markers; thus, a complete response was achieved in 6 (86%) out o f 7 patients. In group I; however 3 patients relapsed and 4 presented no change, obtaining a complete response in 3 (27%) out of 11 followed -up patients. When statistically studied, this improved response in th e Prednisone plus Interferon group was significant in clearing HBV DNA , HBeAg and HBsAg and, also, in. normalizing ALT Levels. Conclusions: In spite of the few number of cases studied these results could indica te an improved long-term evolution after a short course of steroids pr ior to Interferon in selected chronic hepatitis B patients.