Source

Department of Gastroenterology , Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The effect of nucleos(t)ide analogues therapy in patients with decompensated cirrhosis remains unclear.

AIM:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of nucleos(t)ide analogues on decompensated cirrhotic patients.

METHODS:

An online search within PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Central of Register of Controlled Trials and China Biology Medicine disc from 1998-01-01 to 2011-09-05 was conducted. A meta-analysis was performed. Relative risks of mortality rate, Child-Pugh-Turcotte score and hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion of the decompensated patients were studied.

RESULTS:

Eight studies involving 511 patients were included. Data showed that lamivudine and telbivudine significantly decreased the mortality rate (relative risk 0.36, 95 % confidence interval 0.25-0.54), improved the Child-Pugh-Turcotte scores (mean difference -3.23, 95 % confidence interval -3.98 to -2.48) and promoted HBeAg seroconversion (relative risk 7.48, 95 % confidence interval 2.31-24.20).

CONCLUSION:

For patients with decompensated cirrhosis, lamivudine and telbivudine significantly decrease the mortality rate and disease severity. Also, they promote their HBeAg seroconversion.