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Original Abstract of the Article

Major Research Findings

The aim of chronic hepatitis B treatment is to suppress hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels for a long period to prevent disease progression, such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. 21 . Chronic hepatitis C is a major cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality. 9 . Ribavirin plus interferon combination therapy is considered the optimal treatment for interferon-naive patients with chronic hepatitis C, although its role in relapsers and non-responders to previous interferon therapy is not established. 9 . Interferon monotherapy leads to viral clearance in only 10% of patients with genotype 1 and less than 10% of patients with cirrhosis. 6 . Patients with detectable HCV RNA levels at week 4 of therapy have only a 2% chance of viral clearance. 6 . Extending the treatment duration reduces relapse rates in responders. 6 . Interferon-ribavirin combination therapy appears to enhance efficacy 2-3 fold without increasing toxicity. 6 . Interferon-ursodeoxycholic acid combination therapy has also been investigated for its potential to enhance the effectiveness of interferon treatment. 6 . The conventional treatment for chronic hepatitis C is interferon-alpha and ribavirin combination therapy. However, it has some adverse effects, doesn’t work for all patients, and is expensive. 19 . Traditional Chinese medicine has shown potential for improving symptoms, liver function, and loss of HCV markers in patients with chronic hepatitis C. 19 . However, many of the included trials were published in Chinese and were of poor quality, so the promising effects of some herbs need to be confirmed in rigorous clinical trials that follow international standards. 19 . Low uptake of hepatitis C treatment globally is partly due to the need to attend specialists, usually in tertiary hospitals. 25 . Providing HCV treatment in community settings has the potential to increase treatment uptake. 25 . Ribavirin monotherapy showed no significant beneficial effect on virological response or liver morbidity and mortality compared to placebo or no intervention. 12 . Ribavirin significantly improved end-of-treatment biochemical and histological responses but not sustained biochemical responses. 12 . Ribavirin was significantly inferior to interferon regarding virological and biochemical responses. 12 . Ribavirin significantly increased the risk of anemia. 12 . Peginterferon plus ribavirin is the recommended treatment for chronic hepatitis C, but ribavirin monotherapy may be considered for some patients. 18 . Ribavirin monotherapy showed no significant beneficial effect on sustained virological response or liver morbidity and mortality compared to placebo or no intervention. 18 . Ribavirin monotherapy was significantly inferior to interferon monotherapy. 18 . Ribavirin significantly increased the risk of anemia. 18 . To maximize the effectiveness of hepatitis B and hepatitis C treatment, patients must be engaged and retained in care. 26 . In chronic hepatitis C patients, the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of peginterferon alpha-2b plus ribavirin combination therapy depend on treatment strategies that adjust treatment duration, dosage, and early stopping rules based on HCV genotype and early viral response. 17 . In patients who received peginterferon alpha-2a plus ribavirin combination therapy, those with low viral loads (less than 6,000 IU/mL) at week 12 achieved significantly higher sustained virological response rates when treatment duration was extended from 48 weeks to 72 weeks. 13 . In patients with chronic hepatitis C, administering epoetin alpha increases hemoglobin levels and improves treatment adherence, which leads to a higher end-of-treatment rate and sustained virological response in those who develop anemia during treatment. 20 . Initial therapy options for chronic hepatitis B include interferon alfa-2b, lamivudine, adefovir, entecavir, peginterferon alfa-2a, telbivudine, and tenofovir. 16 . These agents have certain advantages and disadvantages. 16 . The preferred first-line treatment choices are entecavir, peginterferon alfa-2a, and tenofovir. 16 . In patients with chronic hepatitis B, treatment with a therapeutic vaccine containing both hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and core antigen (HBcAg) resulted in a significantly higher proportion of patients achieving viral load reduction below the limit of detection (250 copies/mL) 24 weeks after treatment completion, compared to pegylated interferon treatment. 28 . The therapeutic vaccine also showed a higher clearance rate of Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and a lower progression to cirrhosis compared to pegylated interferon treatment. 28 .

Treatment Summary

Treatment options for chronic hepatitis B include interferon alfa-2b, lamivudine, adefovir, entecavir, peginterferon alfa-2a, telbivudine, and tenofovir. 16 . The optimal treatment for chronic hepatitis C is currently interferon and ribavirin combination therapy. 9 . Traditional Chinese medicine also shows potential for treating chronic hepatitis C. 19 . However, many of the included trials were published in Chinese and were of poor quality, so the promising effects of some herbs need to be confirmed in rigorous clinical trials that follow international standards. 19 . To maximize the effectiveness of hepatitis B and hepatitis C treatment, patients must be engaged and retained in care. 26 . In patients with chronic hepatitis B, treatment with a therapeutic vaccine containing both hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and core antigen (HBcAg) resulted in a significantly higher proportion of patients achieving viral load reduction below the limit of detection (250 copies/mL) 24 weeks after treatment completion, compared to pegylated interferon treatment. 28 .

Benefits and Risks

Benefit Summary

Treatment for chronic hepatitis B can prevent disease progression to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. 21 . Interferon and ribavirin combination therapy is an effective treatment option for interferon-naive patients with chronic hepatitis C. 9 . Extending the treatment duration reduces relapse rates in responders. 6 . Interferon-ribavirin combination therapy appears to enhance efficacy 2-3 fold without increasing toxicity. 6 . Traditional Chinese medicine has shown potential for improving symptoms, liver function, and loss of HCV markers in patients with chronic hepatitis C. 19 . Providing HCV treatment in community settings has the potential to increase treatment uptake. 25 . Peginterferon alpha-2a plus ribavirin combination therapy is an effective treatment for chronic hepatitis C. 26 . In patients who received peginterferon alpha-2a plus ribavirin combination therapy, those with low viral loads (less than 6,000 IU/mL) at week 12 achieved significantly higher sustained virological response rates when treatment duration was extended from 48 weeks to 72 weeks. 13 . In patients with chronic hepatitis C, administering epoetin alpha increases hemoglobin levels and improves treatment adherence, which leads to a higher end-of-treatment rate and sustained virological response in those who develop anemia during treatment. 20 . In patients with chronic hepatitis B, treatment with a therapeutic vaccine containing both hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and core antigen (HBcAg) resulted in a significantly higher proportion of patients achieving viral load reduction below the limit of detection (250 copies/mL) 24 weeks after treatment completion, compared to pegylated interferon treatment. 28 .

Risk Summary

Interferon monotherapy can have side effects such as fatigue, fever, chills, muscle aches, and joint pain. 6 . The risk of side effects, such as anemia, is increased with interferon and ribavirin combination therapy. 6 . Ribavirin monotherapy also increases the risk of side effects, such as anemia. 12 . Ribavirin monotherapy is significantly inferior to interferon monotherapy. 18 . Traditional Chinese medicine, especially injections, can have side effects. 19 .

Study Comparison

Study Commonalities

Multiple studies demonstrate that interferon and ribavirin combination therapy is an effective treatment for chronic hepatitis C. 9 6 13 . Multiple studies show that ribavirin monotherapy shows no significant effect compared to placebo or no intervention. 12 18 . These studies suggest that interferon and ribavirin combination therapy is more effective than ribavirin monotherapy for treating chronic hepatitis C.

Study Differences

Multiple studies show that the effectiveness of interferon and ribavirin combination therapy varies depending on the HCV genotype and treatment duration. 6 13 . Multiple studies demonstrate that the side effects of ribavirin monotherapy vary across studies. 12 18 . These studies suggest that the optimal treatment needs to be tailored to individual patients for treating chronic hepatitis C.

Consistency and Contradictions of Results

While multiple studies show that interferon and ribavirin combination therapy is an effective treatment for chronic hepatitis C, effectiveness varies. 9 6 13 . This is likely due to the fact that treatment effects vary depending on factors such as HCV genotype, treatment duration, and patient condition. 6 13 . Also, the effectiveness of ribavirin monotherapy varies across studies. 12 18 . This might be influenced by differences in study design and patient selection criteria.

Application to Daily Life

The optimal treatment for chronic hepatitis B or chronic hepatitis C needs to be tailored to individual patients. 16 26 . Treatment decisions should consider HCV genotype, treatment duration, and patient condition. 6 13 . It is essential to understand the potential risks of side effects. 6 12 18 . Patients with chronic hepatitis C need to seek the advice of a specialist. 25 . Providing treatment in community settings has the potential to increase treatment uptake. 25 . Traditional Chinese medicine may be effective for treating chronic hepatitis C, but this needs to be confirmed in rigorous clinical trials. 19 .

Limitations of Current Research

Research on chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C treatment is still ongoing and more research is needed. 16 26 . Rigorous clinical trials are needed to confirm the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine. 19 . Further research is needed to determine the optimal treatment for each patient. 17 .

Future Research Directions

Future research on chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C treatment should focus on the following: 16 26 .

  • Rigorous clinical trials are needed to confirm the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine. 19
  • Research is needed to determine the optimal treatment for each patient. 17
  • Research is needed to optimize treatment duration and dosage. 13
  • Research is needed to understand the mechanisms underlying side effects. 6 12 18
  • Research is needed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of treatment. 17

Conclusion

Treating chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C is crucial to prevent disease progression to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. 21 . Interferon and ribavirin combination therapy is an effective treatment for interferon-naive patients with chronic hepatitis C. 9 . However, the optimal treatment needs to be tailored to each patient considering factors such as HCV genotype, treatment duration, and patient condition. 6 13 . It is essential to understand the potential risks of side effects. 6 12 18 . Patients with chronic hepatitis C need to seek the advice of a specialist. 25 . Providing treatment in community settings has the potential to increase treatment uptake. 25 . Traditional Chinese medicine may be effective for treating chronic hepatitis C, but this needs to be confirmed in rigorous clinical trials. 19 . In patients with chronic hepatitis B, treatment with a therapeutic vaccine containing both hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and core antigen (HBcAg) resulted in a significantly higher proportion of patients achieving viral load reduction below the limit of detection (250 copies/mL) 24 weeks after treatment completion, compared to pegylated interferon treatment. 28 . The optimal treatment for chronic hepatitis B or chronic hepatitis C needs to be tailored to individual patients. 16 26 . Treatment decisions should consider HCV genotype, treatment duration, and patient condition. 6 13 . It is essential to understand the potential risks of side effects. 6 12 18 . Patients with chronic hepatitis C need to seek the advice of a specialist. 25 . Providing treatment in community settings has the potential to increase treatment uptake. 25 . Traditional Chinese medicine may be effective for treating chronic hepatitis C, but this needs to be confirmed in rigorous clinical trials. 19 .

Treatment List

Interferon alfa-2b, lamivudine, adefovir, entecavir, peginterferon alfa-2a, telbivudine, tenofovir, ribavirin, ursodeoxycholic acid, traditional Chinese medicine, therapeutic vaccine.


Literature analysis of 32 papers
Positive Content
30
Neutral Content
2
Negative Content
0
Article Type
13
13
18
15
32

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