title: Peginterferon alpha versus other antiviral regimes for Chinese HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To conduct a meta-analysis to determine the efficacy of peginterferon alpha (PEG-IFN α) therapy versus IFN α, adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) and entecavir (ETV) for HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients in China.
  
  
  METHODS
  MEDLINE database and 3 main Chinese biomedical databases between 1966 and 2012 was retrieved. Two reviewers independently screened all reports to identify randomized controlled trials that evaluated PEG-IFN α therapy for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B in China.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fourteen trials met the eligibility criteria for this Meta analysis. PEG-IFN α therapy was more effective than IFN α therapy in achieving ALT normalization, serum HBV DNA clearance, HBeAg seroconversion, serum HBeAg clearance and fibrosis improvement in Chinese hepatitis B patients (P<0.05). PEG-IFN α was obviously superior to ETV in HBeAg seroconversion and serum HBeAg clearance (P<0.05), but the seroconversion rate was low. The combination therapy of PEG-IFN α and ADV was more effective than ADV monotherapy in ALT normalization, serum HBV DNA clearance and HBeAg seroconversion (P<0.05). PEG-IFN α showed no priority to other treatment regimes in HBsAg clearance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment with PEG-IFN α is safe and effective, and can be prescribed as firstline treatment options for chronic hepatitis B patients in China. Data are too limited to exclude a substantial benefit or harm of PEG-IFN α combination therapy for CHB patients in China.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China.
authors.forename: Zhenzhen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.forename: Chunjiang
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Zuojun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Bing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Shikun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000225:Adenine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002681:China; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006147:Guanine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D063065:Organophosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D063065:Organophosphonates; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C413685:entecavir; D006147:Guanine; D000225:Adenine; C106812:adefovir dipivoxil