Elevated serum interleukin-38 level at baseline predicts virological response in telbivudine-treated patients with chronic hepatitis B

Figure 2 Comparison of serum hepatitis B virus DNA loads (A) and hepatitis B surface antigen levels (B) between high level group and low level group at baseline and at 12, 24, 36, and 52 wk of LdT treatment. A: The serum HBV DNA loads in HG were lower than those in LG at week 12, 24, 36, and 52 post initial LdT treatment (P = 0.041, 0.003, 0.003, 0.020). B: No significant difference in serum HBsAg levels was noted between the groups during LdT therapy. LdT: Telbivudine; HBV: Hepatitis B virus; HG: High level group; LG: Low level group; HBsAg: Hepatitis B surface antigen.