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World J Gastroenterol. Oct 21, 2013; 19(39): 6665-6678
Published online Oct 21, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i39.6665
Published online Oct 21, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i39.6665
Effects of entecavir and lamivudine for hepatitis B decompensated cirrhosis: Meta-analysis
Xiao-Guang Ye, Qi-Min Su, Department of Infectious Diseases, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510260, Guangdong Province, China
Author contributions: Su QM did data acquisition, analysis and interpretation, and drafted the manuscript; Ye XG conceived and designed the study, and revised the article critically for important intellectual content, and both authors have read and approved the final version to be published.
Supported by The Chinese Foundation for Hepatitis Prevention and Control, Fund of “Guanghui” No. 2012208
Correspondence to: Dr. Xiao-Guang Ye, Department of Infectious Diseases, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510260, Guangdong Province, China. yexiaoguang@126.com
Telephone: +86-20-34152236 Fax: +86-20-34153982
Received: June 7, 2013
Revised: July 18, 2013
Accepted: August 13, 2013
Published online: October 21, 2013
Revised: July 18, 2013
Accepted: August 13, 2013
Published online: October 21, 2013
Core Tip
Core tip: This meta-analysis was conducted to compare the effects of entecavir (ETV) and lamivudine (LAM) in the treatment of hepatitis B associated decompensated cirrhosis. The results suggested that ETV and LAM significantly improved liver function and reduced mortality. Both drugs produced similar serological responses, and were safe and well tolerated. However, LAM had higher drug-resistance and is therefore unsuitable for the long-term treatment of patients with hepatitis B decompensated cirrhosis. ETV can be used as the first-line drug for long-term treatment of patients with hepatitis B decompensated cirrhosis as it has stronger anti-viral activity and extremely low drug-resistance.