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World J Gastroenterol. Oct 28, 2013; 19(40): 6849-6856
Published online Oct 28, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i40.6849
Published online Oct 28, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i40.6849
Antiviral therapy delays esophageal variceal bleeding in hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis
Chang-Zheng Li, Qing-Shan Li, Jun-Hong Yan, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Institute of Hepatobiliary and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Chinese Second Artillery General Hospital, Beijing 100088, China
Liu-Fang Cheng, Zhi-Qiang Wang, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China
Author contributions: Li CZ conceived and initiated the research project, conducted clinical and endoscopic treatment and data analysis and wrote the manuscript; Cheng LF, Wang ZQ and Li QS were actively involved in conducting clinical and endoscopic treatment; Yan JH was responsible for database management and data analysis.
Correspondence to: Chang-Zheng Li, MD, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Institute of Hepatobiliary and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Chinese Second Artillery General Hospital, No. 16, Xinjiekouwai Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100088, China. licz007@aliyun.com
Telephone: +86-10-66343644 Fax: +86-10-68218056
Received: May 8, 2013
Revised: August 13, 2013
Accepted: September 13, 2013
Published online: October 28, 2013
Revised: August 13, 2013
Accepted: September 13, 2013
Published online: October 28, 2013
Core Tip
Core tip: Antiviral therapy with nucleoside analogs improves clinical outcome in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related decompensated cirrhosis. However, the emergence of resistance results in liver injury. The consequences may be worse in patients with esophageal varices (EV), in which bleeding and death often occur. This study evaluated the efficacy of antiviral treatment over 5 years in patients with HBV-related cirrhosis and EV and found that antiviral therapy decreased the risk of bleeding. However, agents with a high rate of virological breakthrough were ineffective in preventing bleeding. These findings provide evidence-based suggestions for the treatment of this special group of patients.