title: [A meta-analysis of controlled studies of the treatment of chronic hepatitis due to the hepatitis B virus].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Since the results obtained in controlled studies of antiviral treatment of chronic hepatitis by the hepatitis B virus are frequently insignificant the authors have undertaken a combined study of the different controlled trials with the meta-analysis technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  The results of 7 controlled trials of treatment with adenosin arabinoside (AAR) and 18 published studies on therapy of a control group with interferon were studied. Meta-analysis was performed by two methods: Mantel expressing the results in odds ratio (OR) and Cochram-Dersimonian-Laird which consider the results in differences of risk (RD).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The meta-analysis of AAR treatment shows a mean difference of response of 11% with no homogeneity among the different studies published. This lack of homogeneity may be due to the different selection criteria of the patients which determine very variable degrees of response. The controlled studies with interferon showed a mean difference of response of 20% with homogeneity of effects. No differences were observed in the degrees of response according to whether recombinant lymphoblastoid interferon was used or if the dose was of 5 or 10 megaunits per day. Non were differences observed in degrees of response with respect to the time in which the loss of viral DNA was evaluated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Following analysis of the results it was concluded that interferon is clearly effective in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B and based on published studies adenosin arabinoside demonstrate less efficacy.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Aparato Digestivo, Hospital Clinico Universitario, Valencia.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Serra
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Rodrigo
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: del Olmo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Escudero
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rodríguez
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D016017:Odds Ratio; D014740:Vidarabine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D007372:Interferons; D014740:Vidarabine
vernacular_title: Metaanálisis de los estudios controlados de tratamiento de la hepatitis crónica por el virus B de la hepatitis.