HepatologyVolume 8, Issue 3 p. 493-496 Original ArticleFree Access The development of cirrhosis in patients with chronic type B hepatitis: A prospective study Yun-Fan Liaw M.D., Corresponding Author Yun-Fan Liaw M.D. Liver Unit and Department of Pathology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung Medical College, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of ChinaLiver Unit, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, 199, Tung Hwa North Road, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China===Search for more papers by this authorDar-In Tai, Dar-In Tai Liver Unit and Department of Pathology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung Medical College, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of ChinaSearch for more papers by this authorChia-Ming Chu, Chia-Ming Chu Liver Unit and Department of Pathology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung Medical College, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of ChinaSearch for more papers by this authorTong-Jong Chen, Tong-Jong Chen Liver Unit and Department of Pathology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung Medical College, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of ChinaSearch for more papers by this author Yun-Fan Liaw M.D., Corresponding Author Yun-Fan Liaw M.D. Liver Unit and Department of Pathology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung Medical College, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of ChinaLiver Unit, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, 199, Tung Hwa North Road, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China===Search for more papers by this authorDar-In Tai, Dar-In Tai Liver Unit and Department of Pathology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung Medical College, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of ChinaSearch for more papers by this authorChia-Ming Chu, Chia-Ming Chu Liver Unit and Department of Pathology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung Medical College, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of ChinaSearch for more papers by this authorTong-Jong Chen, Tong-Jong Chen Liver Unit and Department of Pathology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung Medical College, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of ChinaSearch for more papers by this author First published: May/June 1988 https://doi.org/10.1002/hep.1840080310Citations: 450AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Abstract The incidence and contributing factors of cirrhosis developing in patients with chronic type B hepatitis were assessed prospectively in 684 clinicopathologically verified patients, of which 509 were HBeAg positive and 175 were anti-HBe positive at entry into the study. During an average follow-up period of 35.3 months, cirrhosis occurred 6 to 64 months after entry in 35 HBeAg-positive and 7 anti-HBe positive patients with a calculated annual incidence of 2.4 and 1.3%, respectively (p > 0.05). The incidence increased significantly with the increasing age at entry. Patients who had experienced (a) hepatic decompensation, (b) repeated episodes of severe acute exacerbation (with α-fetoprotein > 100 ng per ml and/or bridging hepatic necrosis), (c) severe acute exacerbation not accompanied by subsequent HBeAg seroconversion and (d) hepatitis B virus reactivation (particularly those with HBeAg reappearance) were found to develop cirrhosis much more frequently (p < 0.001). Contrary to general belief, patients who had hepatitis delta virus superinfection and patients with chronic active hepatitis were not particularly prone to develop cirrhosis. We conclude that in addition to age factor, the extent, severity, duration, frequency and etiology of the hepatic lobular alterations are important factors for the development of cirrhosis in patients with chronic type B hepatitis. References 1 Boyer JL, Klatskin G. Pattern of necrosis in acute viral hepatitis. Prognostic value of bridging (subacute hepatic necrosis). 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