Backgrounds: Noninvasive detection of histological abnormalities remains challenging in patients with HBeAg-negative chronic HBV infection with normal or mildly elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT). This study aimed to assess the utility of serum quantitative hepatitis B surface antigen (qHBsAg) in identifying significant histological lesions in this population.
Methods: This is a single-center study with retrospective analysis of 392 treatment-naive patients of HBeAg-negative chronic HBV infection with normal or mildly elevated levels of ALT.
Results: In this cohort, significant necroinflammation and fibrosis were found in 69.4% and 61.5% of patients, respectively. Patients with qHBsAg >1000 IU/mL (N = 236) had more hepatic inflammation of ≥G2 (75.4% vs. 60.9%, P < 0.01) or fibrosis ≥ S2 (66.1% vs. 54.5%, P < 0.05) compared to those without (N = 156). Serum HBsAg (cutoff point = 1000 IU/mL), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level (cutoff point = 25 IU/L), age (cutoff point = 40 years), and HBV family history were identified as independent predictors of significant histological abnormalities in multivariate logistic analysis.
Conclusions: A significantly higher proportion of patients with histological abnormalities were found in patients with qHBsAg >1000 IU/mL than those without. The qHBsAg level together with age, AST, and family history of HBV infection could be used as an algorithm to help noninvasive patient selection for antiviral therapy.
Copyright © 2022 Qinyi Gan et al.