The Effect of Metabolic Syndrome on Antiviral Response in People With Chronic Hepatitis B

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) affects an estimated 292 million people, and causes approximately 800,000 people deaths per year from liver-related complications including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, remaining a major global public health issue.Meanwhile, the rising incidence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is another grim health burden. Combined MetS affects the metabolic function of hepatocytes, which are responsible for providing HBV replication. Antiviral therapy is an effective measure to reduce the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer in patients with chronic CHB. Combined MetS may affect the antiviral efficacy in patients with CHB.This prospective observational study examines the differences in HBeAg serological conversion rates between HBeAg-positive CHB patients with and without MS who received first-line oral antivirals for 144 weeks.