ABSTRACT
Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of peginterferon ( PegIFN) α-2b in treatment of HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B ( CHB).Methods Thirty two patients with HBeAg-positive CHB admitted in Peking University Shenzhen Hospital during November 2013 and January 2014 were recruited in the study.Patients were center randomly assigned into two groups : 22 patients in test group were treated with 180 μg PegIFN α-2b, 1 /w for 48 wk; 10 patients in control group were treated with 180 μg PegIFN α-2a (Pegasys), 1 /w for 48wk.All patients were followed up for 24wk after treatment.Virology markers, HBV DNA levels and liver functions were monitored regularly , and adverse events were observed . Fisher’s exact test was used to compare the efficacy and safety between two groups .Results There were no statistically significant differences between the control group and test group in ALT normalization rates , HBV DNA negative rates and HBeAg serological conversion rates both at the end of treatment and at the end of 24-wk follow-up (all P >0.05).Both groups had similar adverse effect incidence rates (P >0.05), but retina disease occurred in 7 cases of test group, which was not observed in control group .Conclusion Compared with PegIFN α-2a, PegIFN α-2b has similar efficacy and safety for patients with HBeAg -positive CHB.