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Factors Associated with Rates of HBsAg Seroclearance in Adults with Chronic HBV Infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Gastroenterology Yeo, Y. H., Ho, H. J., Yang, H. I., Tseng, T. C., Hosaka, T. n., Trinh, H. N., Kwak, M. S., Park, Y. M., Fung, J. Y., Buti, M. n., Rodriguez, M. n., Treeprasertsuk, S. n., Preda, C. M., Ungtrakul, T. n., Charatcharoenwitthaya, P. n., Li, X. n., Li, J. n., Zhang, J. n., Le, M. H., Wei, B. n., Zou, B. n., Le, A. n., Jeong, D. n., Chien, N. n., Kam, L. n., Lee, C. C., Riveiro-Barciela, M. n., Istratescu, D. n., Sriprayoon, T. n., Chong, Y. n., Tanwandee, T. n., Kobayashi, M. n., Suzuki, F. n., Yuen, M. F., Lee, H. S., Kao, J. H., Lok, A. S., Wu, C. Y., Nguyen, M. H. 2018

Abstract

Seroclearance of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is a marker for clearance of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection but reported annual incidence rates of HBsAg seroclearance vary. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to provide more precise estimates of HBsAg seroclearance rates among subgroups and populations.We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane library for cohort studies that reported HBsAg seroclearance in adults with chronic HBV infection with more than 1 year of follow up and at least 1 repeat test for HBsAg. Annual and 5-, 10-, and 15-year cumulative incidence rates were pooled using a random effects model.We analyzed 34 published studies (with 42,588 patients; 303,754 person-years of follow-up; and 3194 HBsAg seroclearance events), including additional and updated aggregated data from 19 studies. The pooled annual rate of HBsAg seroclearance was 1.02% (95% CI, 0.79-1.27). Cumulative incidence rates were 4.03% at 5 years (95% CI, 2.49-5.93), 8.16% at 10 years (95% CI, 5.24-11.72), and 17.99% at 15 years (95% CI, 6.18-23.24). There were no significant differences between sexes. A higher proportion of patients negative for HBeAg at baseline had seroclearance (1.33%; 95% CI, 0.76-2.05) than patients positive for HBeAg (0.40%; 95% CI, 0.25-0.59) (P<.01). HBsAg seroclearance was also associated with a lower baseline HBV DNA (6.61 log10IU/mL; 95% CI, 5.94-7.27) than in patients without HBsAg seroclearance (7.71 log10IU/mL; 95% CI, 7.41-8.02) (P<.01) and lower level of HBsAg at baseline (2.74 log10IU/mL; 95% CI, 1.88-3.60) than in patients without HBsAg seroclearance (3.90 log10IU/mL, 95% CI, 3.73-4.06) (P<.01). HBsAg seroclearance was not associated with HBV genotype or treatment history. Heterogeneity was substantial across the studies (I2=97.49%).In a systematic review and meta-analysis, we found a low rate of HBsAg seroclearance in untreated and treated patients (pooled annual rate approximately 1%). Seroclearance occurred mainly in patients with less active disease. Patients with chronic HBV infection should therefore be counseled on the need for lifelong treatment, and curative therapies are needed.

View details for PubMedID 30342034