Population-based study of Entecavir and long-term mortality in chronic hepatitis B related decompensated liver cirrhosis

Background and aims: We lack population-based studies that identify the rote of entecavir (EN) in extending tong-term survival in chronic hepatitis B (CHB)-related decompensated liver cirrhotic patients. Since 2010, National Health Insurance in Taiwan has covered long-term medical payment for antiviral therapy in CHB-related cirrhotic patients whose HBV DNA is >= 2000 IU/mL. We studied the effect of ETV on the mortality of CHB-related decompensated cirrhosis patients compared with patients who did not receive antiviral agents at baseline. Methods: From the Taiwan National Health Insurance Database, we collected 758 CHB-related decompensated cirrhosis patients with elevated viral toads (HBV DNA >= 2000 IU/mL) using ETV and discharged between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2013. The comparison group consisted of 1516 selected CHB-related decompensated cirrhotic patients without antiviral therapy at baseline using propensity score matching analysis. Results: The 1-, 2-, and 3-year mortality probabilities were 34.7%, 42.5%, and 48.5 % in the ETV group and 21.1%, 37.8% and 51.3 % in the non-ETV group, respectively. Based on a Cox proportional hazards regression model adjusted by patients' sex, age, and comorbid disorders, the hazard ratios (HR) in the ETV group for 1-year, 1-2-year, and 2-3-year mortalities were 1.22 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05-1.43, P= .010), 1.02 (0.86-1.20, P = .866), and 0.59 (0.38-0.90, P= .016), compared with the non-ETV group. Conclusions: Even in CHB-related decompensated cirrhotic patients, higher initial viral loads were correlated with poor outcomes. However, the long-term usage of ETV can decrease longterm mortality in these patients. (C) 2019 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.