Chronic persistent hepatitis. Long-term prospective study on the natural course of the disease.
Ninety-nine patients with chronic persistent hepatitis were followed up in a prospective study for an average of 6.7 years. Fifty-six patients had positive HBV markers; 29 of these patients had persistent HBs antigenemia, and 4 had persistent HBe antigenemia. No patient developed chronic active hepatitis or cirrhosis of the liver. It can be concluded that chronic persistent hepatitis is a benign non-progressive disease that does not require therapy.
Vucelić
B
B
Dept. of Medicine, University Hospital Rebro, Medical School, University of Zagreb, Yugoslavia.
Hadzić
N
N
Dubravcić
D
D
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens