RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL OF STEROID WITHDRAWAL FOLLOWED BY CONTINUOUS AND INTERMITTENT ADMINISTRATION OF NATURAL ALPHA-INTERFERON FOR CHRONIC HEPATITIS-B

Forty-two chronic hepatitis B patients positive for hepatitis B e anti gen were randomly assigned to either intermittent or continuous admini stration of natural alpha-interferon after steroid withdrawal. The eff ects of the treatment were judged by their HBeAg/HBeAb serostatus and biochemical response. Temporary responses of HB e seronegative rates o f these two protocols were 25.0% and 31.8%, and those of the HB e sero conversion rates were 15.0% and 13.6%, respectively. No significant di fference was detected between the two treatment protocols. Biochemical response was seen in nine (40.9%) and eight (40.0%) cases out of 22 i ntermittent and 20 continuous cases, respectively. No significant diff erence was seen between the two groups. The patients' characteristics were examined for their relation to the sequelae of HB e antigen and b iochemical responses. Younger age was a favorable condition for HB e a ntigen disappearance, although it was not statistically significant (P = 0.0791). The shorter interval between the cessation of steroid trea tment and the beginning of interferon administration was a significant ly favorable factor on biochemical response.