OBJECTIVETo evaluate the changes in the renal function of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) receiving adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) or telbivudine (L-DT) monotherapy.

METHODSThis retrospective analysis involved 101 patients with CHB and liver cirrhosis receiving either ADV or L-DT monotherapy for 52 weeks. Serum creatinine, estimates of glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and the percentage of patients with eGFR≥90 ml·min(-1)·1.73 m(-2) at week 52 were compared with the baseline data between the two groups.

RESULTSThe mean changes of CR at week 52 from baseline were +0.05 mg/dl in ADV group and -0.12 mg/dl in L-DT group, showing a significant difference between the two groups (P=0.000). No patient was found to have an elevation of creatinine over 0.50 mg/dl. The median change of eGFR at week 52 from baseline differed significantly between ADV and L-DT groups (-4.09 vs+18.32 ml·min(-1)·1.73 m(-2), P=0.000). Ninety-two percent (12/13) of the patients with baseline eGFR<90 ml·min(-1)·1.73 m(-2) shifted to eGFR ≥90 ml·min(-1)·1.73 m(-2) after 52 weeks of L-DT treatment, as compared to 38% (3/8) in ADV group. The proportion of patients with eGFR≥90 ml·min(-1)·1.73 m(-2) in L-DT group increased from 76.36% (42/55) at baseline to 94.55% (52/55) at week 52, while that in ADV group decreased from 82.61% (38/46) at baseline to 78.26% (36/46). The constituent ratios of eGFR at different levels were similar at baseline (P=0.443) but significantly different at week 52 between the two groups (P=0.015).

CONCLUSIONL-DT treatment is associated with a renoprotective effect in patients with CHB, but the mechanism remains unclear.