Published online Jun 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i23.7169
Revised: November 20, 2013
Accepted: January 2, 2014
Published online: June 21, 2014
Results from phase III clinical trials clearly demonstrate the efficacy and safety of entecavir and tenofovir in the controlled environment of randomized clinical studies. There are several studies with both drugs performed in clinical practice (also called “real life studies”). Despite the pros and cons, studies performed in real life conditions represent everyday practice and add important information about long term treatment effectiveness and safety in this clinical setting. This review shows that patients treated with first line nucleos(t)ide analogs at referral centres, with good clinical follow-up and adherence to international guidelines, can achieve high treatment response rates with a very low rate of adverse events.
Core tip: Patients treated with entecavir or tenofovir in routine clinical practice at referral centres, with good clinical follow-up and adherence to international guidelines, can achieve high treatment response rates with a very low rate of adverse events.