Comparison of Sonographic findings and Liver Enzyme Status in Patients with HBeAg-Negative and HBeAg-Positive Chronic Hepatitis B

Background: Virologic parameters and liver enzymes are generally measured to determine
prognosis of hepatitis B. The present study was conducted to determine the liver function indices
and sonographic findings of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in HBeAg-negative and HBeAg-positive
patients.
Materials and Methods: This Historical Cohort study was conducted on 234 patients with active
CHB (117 HBeAg-negative and 117 HBeAg-positive) in 2007. The patients who were referred to
Hepatitis Clinic of Blood Transfusion Organization were included in the study.
Results: One hundred eighty patients were male, majority of them were resident of Sistan
province and married. The mean age of patients with CHB HBeAg-negative was more than patient
with CHB HBeAg-positive (38.03±11.1 vs 28.77±9.8). There were no significant difference in
Bilirubin, Albumin, ALT and AST levels and also PT between the two groups, but a significant
difference in sonographic findings of liver was demonstrated between two groups.
Conclusion: Based on our results, it is recommended to use other diagnostic indices including
virologic parameters and histopathology to distinguish CHB patients.