Correlation between HBV-DNA and progress to cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B

Objective To investigate the relationship between HBV-DNA level during the course and progress tO cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B.Methods From 2001 to 2007,a total of 239 chronic hepatitis B patients confirmed by liver biopsy were followed up for a median time of 28 months.HBV-DNA level was measured at baseline and end point.Results Those who progressed to cirrhosis were older and with higher HBV-DNA levels at the end point.Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the higher the HBV-DNA level at end point,the higher the risk to cirrhosis(X2=11.736,P=0.019).There was no difference between patients with and without cirrhosis at baseline of HBV-DNA level(P=0.531).The Cox regression indicated that the independent risk factors of cirrhosis were as followings:HBV-DNA level at the end point,stage of fibrosis,hepatitis B e antigen negative and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase at entry with relative risk ratio of 1.898,1.918,8.976 and 1.006,respectively.Conclusion HBV-DNA level is correlated with progress to cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Key words: Hepatitis B,chronic; Viral load; Fibrosis