Cytokines predict virological response in chronic hepatitis B patients receiving peginterferon alfa-2a therapy

Table 1 Baseline characteristics of patients with chronic hepatitis B

Variable	Virological responders (n = 15)	Virological non-responders (n = 11)	P value
Age (yr)	28.8 ± 4.161	27.82 ± 4.446	0.57
Gender (n of male, %)	10 (67)	7 (64)	1
ALT (IU/L)
Baseline	237.5 ± 89.36	204.5 ± 74.36	0.3292
T24	43 ± 15	102.8 ± 61.70	0.0013
T48	29.07 ± 10.30	130.3 ± 117.1	0.0026
AST (IU/L)
Baseline	108.9 ± 42.60	94.64 ± 47.99	0.43
T24	36.33 ± 8.541	76.64 ± 59.67	0.0157
T48	29.4 ± 7.039	87 ± 89.2	0.0193
Serum HBV DNA log10 (copies/mL)
Baseline	6.518 ± 0.7267	7.477 ± 0.3533	0.005
T24	1.193 ± 1.282	7.2 ± 0.3550	< 0.0001
T48	0.4867 ± 0.7605	7.055 ± 0.6056	< 0.0001
HBeAg seroconversion during or after Tx (n, %)	10 (66.7)	0	-

HBeAg: Hepatitis B e antigen; HBV: Hepatitis B virus; ALT: Alanine aminotransferase; AST: Aspartate aminotransferase.