title: Longer duration of HBV-active antiretroviral therapy is linked to favorable virological outcome in HIV-HBV co-infected patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  HBV-HIV co-infection is associated with increased liver-related morbidity and mortality. Herein we analyzed HBV-related virologic and clinical outcomes in HBV-HIV patients in the HAART era.
  
  
  METHODS
  HBsAg positive HIV-infected patients followed at a US academic center between 1990 and 2008 were assessed in a retrospective and longitudinal study. Factors associated with HBsAg and/or HBeAg clearance and with advanced liver disease were evaluated using logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  72 patients were evaluated. Their median time of follow-up and of adherence to HBV-active HAART were 3 and 1 years, respectively. HBeAg and HBsAg cleared in 17.6% and 5.5% of patients, respectively. More prolonged use of HBV-active HAART predicted clearance of HBeAg (odds ratio [OR] 2.66, 95% CI 1.15-6.16, p = .02) and of HBsAg (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.02-2.31, p = .04). Patients clearing HBsAg tended to have higher baseline CD4 (mean CD4 counts: 550 vs. 246 cells/mm3; p = .06). Rate of diagnosis of liver-related complications and death were 24.6/1,000 and 10.5/1,000 patient-years, respectively. Higher ALT levels before HAART initiation were associated with the diagnosis of cirrhosis during follow-up (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.002-1.03, p = .02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prolonged use of HBV-active HAART favors HBsAg and HBeAg clearance in HIV-HBV co-infected patients. Those with higher ALT levels at presentation have higher risk of being diagnosed with cirrhosis during the first few years of follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Tsan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Núñez
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009657:North Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens