Use of TDF in Patients With Inactive Chronic Hepatitis B Infection

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major worldwide health problem. The course of the majority of patients with inactive chronic hepatitis B is usually benign; therefore, the current treatment guidelines recommend not treating these patients. However, recent evidence suggests that the prognosis of these inactive carrier is not exactly benign. For instance, patients may develop liver cancer despite their inactive carrier state. Also, approximately 20-30% of patients with inactive chronic hepatitis B may undergo spontaneous reactivation of hepatitis over time. Multiple episodes of reactivation or sustained reactivation can cause progressive liver damage and even liver decompensation. However, until there are data to support that treatment with oral antivirals can alter the outcome of these patients, they will remain untreated. Potent oral antivirals have been shown to suppress HBV DNA and normalize liver enzymes in patients with active chronic hepatitis B infection. With continued long-term treatment, some of these patients have gone on to clear hepatitis B surface antigen and develop hepatitis B surface antibody. Therefore, it is possible that the same oral antivirals can have the same effect in patients with inactive chronic hepatitis B, but in a shorter duration of treatment. This study will explore the possible use of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in controlling HBV DNA and promoting hepatitis B surface antigen seroconversion in patients with inactive chronic hepatitis B.

After completion of all initial investigations, patients will be started on TDF 300mg daily. Patients will be reviewed at 6 monthly intervals as per standard of care. At each clinic visit, patients will have blood tests including complete blood count, renal function, electrolytes, liver enzyme and liver function tests, as well as HBV serology including quantitative HBsAg and HBV DNA. Patients will also receive an abdominal ultrasound, fibroscan and fibrotest on an annual basis. Treatment will be stopped when sAg+ve seroconverts to sAb+ve or at the end of 3 years whichever comes earlier.

Inclusion criteria

• All patients with inactive chronic hepatitis B, defined as someone who has HBV DNA ≤ log4, eAg-ve, eAb+, HBsAg+ve and normal ALT persistently for >6 months

Exclusion criteria

• Patients older than 75 years of age
• Presence of hepatoma at entry
• Presence of decompensated cirrhosis defined by a history of variceal bleed, ascites, or hepatic encephalopathy
• Presence of abnormal renal function defined as serum creatinine of>110µmol/L
• co-infection with HIV