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World J Gastroenterol. Jun 21, 2014; 20(23): 7169-7180
Published online Jun 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i23.7169
Treatment of chronic hepatitis B in clinical practice with entecavir or tenofovir
Ezequiel Ridruejo
Ezequiel Ridruejo, Hepatology Section, Departament of Medicine, Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas Norberto Quirno “CEMIC”, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, C1425ASG Buenos Aires, Argentina
Ezequiel Ridruejo, Hepatology and Liver Transplant Unit, Hospital Universitario Austral, Pilar, Provincia de Buenos Aires, C1425ASG Buenos Aires, Argentina
Author contributions: Ridruejo E analyzed all the data and wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Ezequiel Ridruejo, MD, Hepatology Section, Department of Medicine, Centro de Educación Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas Norberto Quirno “CEMIC”, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Avda, Las Heras 2939, C1425ASG Buenos Aires, Argentina. eridruejo@gmail.com
Telephone: +54-11-48091980 Fax: +54-11-48091992
Received: October 15, 2013
Revised: November 20, 2013
Accepted: January 2, 2014
Published online: June 21, 2014
Processing time: 248 Days and 18.6 Hours
Abstract

Results from phase III clinical trials clearly demonstrate the efficacy and safety of entecavir and tenofovir in the controlled environment of randomized clinical studies. There are several studies with both drugs performed in clinical practice (also called “real life studies”). Despite the pros and cons, studies performed in real life conditions represent everyday practice and add important information about long term treatment effectiveness and safety in this clinical setting. This review shows that patients treated with first line nucleos(t)ide analogs at referral centres, with good clinical follow-up and adherence to international guidelines, can achieve high treatment response rates with a very low rate of adverse events.

Keywords: Hepatitis B; Clinical practice; Entecavir; Tenofovir; Real life

Core tip: Patients treated with entecavir or tenofovir in routine clinical practice at referral centres, with good clinical follow-up and adherence to international guidelines, can achieve high treatment response rates with a very low rate of adverse events.