23.10.2012 Views

View PDF Version - RePub - Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam

View PDF Version - RePub - Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam

View PDF Version - RePub - Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION<br />

Summary and conclusion 231<br />

This research focuses on development and application of statistical models to analyse<br />

the treatment effects in chronic hepatitis B and C.<br />

Treatment options for both hepatitis B and C are expanding and there is thus a growing<br />

demand for individual fi rst-line treatment recommendation. This can only be achieved<br />

by studying the effects of treatment in detail. Which patients benefi t from treatment,<br />

in which should treatment be stopped and what are the early and long-term effects of<br />

treatment?<br />

With advanced statistical models the results of clinical studies of treatment of chronic<br />

hepatitis B and C were analysed, achieving more insight into how the individual patient<br />

reacts to treatment.<br />

PREDICTION OF RESPONSE TO TREATMENT<br />

The decline of HBV DNA during peginterferon (PEG-IFN) therapy and the spontaneous<br />

fl uctuations in viral load in placebo-treated patients with HBeAg-positive chronic<br />

hepatitis B were compared in Chapter 2.1.<br />

A total of 136 HBeAg-positive patients who participated in a randomized trial were<br />

treated with PEG-IFN alfa-2b for 52 weeks. This group was compared with 167 HBeAgpositive<br />

patients who received placebo for 48 weeks using linear mixed regression<br />

analysis. Response was defi ned as negative HBeAg at end of treatment (EOT).<br />

Overall, decline of HBV DNA at EOT was larger in the PEG-IFN group compared with<br />

placebo and varied according to HBV genotype. Viral suppression was stronger in the<br />

PEG-IFN group compared with placebo starting at week 4 and throughout the entire<br />

treatment period. Among responders, HBV DNA decline was larger for PEG-IFN than<br />

placebo. ALT levels were signifi cantly related to HBV DNA decline at the next visit and<br />

ALT fl ares (≥5 times the upper limit) during PEG-IFN therapy were associated with a<br />

stronger HBV DNA decline compared with placebo.<br />

In conclusion PEG-IFN therapy resulted in a larger HBV DNA decline compared with<br />

placebo. Furthermore, the decline of HBV DNA was stronger in HBeAg-positive patients<br />

who lost HBeAg or who exhibited a fl are during PEG-IFN therapy compared with spontaneous<br />

HBeAg loss or fl ares occurring during placebo therapy.<br />

Baseline prediction model<br />

In Chapter 2.2 the baseline prediction of response of HBeAg positive chronic hepatitis<br />

B to PEG-IFN is studied.

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!