ABSTRACT
This article introduces the debates on the natural history of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection during the update of Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B (2022 Version), including nomenclature and definition, HBV infection, HBV DNA threshold for patients in the immune-tolerant phase, indeterminate phase and natural history, clinical diagnosis and natural history, and HBV DNA threshold for patients in the inactive phase.
ABSTRACT
This paper discusses further on the antiviral treatment of chronic hepatitis B patients with indeterminate phase. These patients have a high proportion of significant necroinflammation and fibrosis in the liver， and a higher risk of disease progression compared with those with true HBeAg－positive chronic hepatitis B virus （HBV） infection （formerly called the immune tolerance phase） or HBeAg－negative chronic HBV infection （formerly called the immune control phase）. Antiviral therapy may reduce the risk of HBV－related hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis B patients with indeterminate phase.
ABSTRACT
This article discusses the definition of the indeterminate phase of chronic hepatitis B and summarizes the proportion of patients in the indeterminate phase of chronic hepatitis B among patients with chronic HBV infection, as well as their risk of hepatocellular carcinoma and related treatment recommendations.