Hepatitis B vaccination in haemodialysis patients: a randomized clinical trial.
OBJECTIVE
A short vaccination protocol against hepatitis B was compared to the standard approach in patients under haemodialysis who were primarily non-responsive to the vaccine.


METHODS
This randomized, controlled open trial included 51 chronic haemodialysis subjects previously vaccinated against hepatitis B and with anti-HBs levels of less than 10 IU/mol/L. Twenty-six patients received 20 microg i.m. once a week for 8 weeks (short protocol) and 25 subjects three doses of 40 microg i.m. at months 0, 1 and 6 (standard protocol). Clinical and laboratory data were compared between responders and non-responders. A logistic regression model included selected parameters to assess risk factors for non-seroconversion.


RESULTS
Seroconversion rates to vaccine at 2 months were 80% and 78% in the short and standard protocol groups, respectively (P = 0.99). Median of anti-HBs levels were similar up to 6 months of follow up, but patients in the standard protocol showed a trend to higher anti-HBs in month 3 and a more steady decline in antibody titres. Non-responders were older, had longer duration of dialysis and a higher prevalence of a prior renal transplant and hepatitis C. In multivariate analysis, only advanced age and hepatitis C remained independently associated with non-responsiveness to vaccination.


CONCLUSIONS
In haemodialysis patients, a short vaccination protocol against hepatitis B did not provide any benefit compared to the standard approach with respect to peak anti-HBs titres or a higher rate of seroprotection at the end of follow up. Other strategies to increase seroconversion rates should be explored, especially in the elderly and in patients with hepatitis C.
Bock
Marilene
M
Graduate Program in Medical Sciences-Nephrology, Nephrology Division, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
Barros
Elvino
E
Veronese
Francisco J V
FJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D014611:Vaccination
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines