Serum proteins in chronic hepatitis B patients treated with peginterferon alfa-2b

Table 3 Baseline characteristics of the patients in the validation phase and at 24 wk of treatment (mean ± SE)

	Sustained virological responders	Non-responders	P value
Validation phase	(n = 9)	(n = 14)
Age (yr)	29.56 ± 2.78	37.71 ± 1.97	0.023
Sex (male:female)	7:2	11:3	0.966
ALT level (U/L)	106.88 ± 36.26	130.50 ± 30.93	0.644
HBV DNA (copies/mL)	(11.06 ± 2.84) × 106	(13.12 ± 2.45) × 106	0.593
HBeAg	Positive	Positive	NS
24 wk	(n = 3)	(n = 3)
Age (yr)	29.33 ± 6.89	35.67 ± 6.06	NS
Sex (male:female)	Male	Male	NS
ALT level (U/L)	52.33 ± 13.78	253.67 ± 187.74	NS
HBV DNA (copies/mL)	(6.70 ± 6.65) × 106	(13.65 ± 6.35) × 106	NS
HBeAg	Positive	Positive	NS

HBV: Hepatitis B virus; ALT: Alanine aminotransferase; HBeAg: Hepatitis B e antigen; NS: Not significant.