Antiviral Therapy Improves Survival in Hepatitis B–Related Decompensated Cirrhosis

Potent antivirals such as tenofovir and entecavir are effective in suppressing hepatitis B virus (HBV) in patients with compensated liver disease. A few small, mainly retrospective studies have suggested that in individuals with decompensated cirrhosis, these agents are safe and may improve liver function in the short term. In a prospective, longitudinal study, researchers evaluated the long-term efficacy of antiviral therapy in patients with HBV-related decompensated cirrhosis.

Participants were patients presenting to one of seven South Korean referral centers between 2005 and 2012 with an initial episode of hepatic decompensation (e.g., ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, hepatorenal syndrome, encephalopathy, variceal bleeding). Th…