Relative predictive factors for hepatocellular carcinoma after HBeAg seroconversion in HBV infection.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the predictive factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development in patients after spontaneous or therapeutic HBeAg seroconversion.


METHODS
In 48 patients who seroconverted to anti-HBe positive during follow-up, the background factors for HCC development were analyzed.


RESULTS
HCC was developed in six patients during follow-up (average follow-up after HBeAg seroconversion: 10.9+/-5.4 years). The incidence of HCC evaluated by Kaplan-Meier analysis was significantly higher in patients with abnormal aspartate aminotransferase (AST>40 IU/L) level, lower platelet counts (PLT< 10 x 10(4)/microL), lower albumin level (Alb<30 g/L), positive HBV-DNA or older age at seroconversion (>40 years). However, lower platelet count was the only predictive factor for HCC development shown by multivariate proportional-hazard analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
Active hepatitis or advanced hepatitis at HBeAg seroconversion or progressive hepatitis even after HBeAg seroconversion would be the risk factors for HCC development. These predictive factors should be taken into account in determining the frequency of biochemical study or imaging studies for HCC surveillance.
Murata
Kazumoto
K
First Department of Internal Medicine, Mie University School of Medicine, 2-174 Edobashi Tsu Mie 514-8507, Japan. atarum@clin.medic.mie-u.ac.jp
Sugimoto
Kazushi
K
Shiraki
Katsuya
K
Nakano
Takeshi
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000821:virology*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood*; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors
D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens