OBJECTIVETo analyze the relationship of anxiety state with CD4(+) level and CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio and to observe the effect of Chinese medicine (CM) treatment on anxiety in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.

METHODSThe anxiety state of 120 CHB patients was evaluated based on Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) scoring. According to the scores, 63 patients with scores ≥14 were classified to anxiety and 57 patients with scores <14 to non-anxiety. The differences in CD4(+) cells and CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio between patients with anxiety and non-anxiety were analyzed. Moreover, 63 patients with anxiety were randomized into two groups: 31 in the control group were treated with lamivudine (100 mg per day) alone and 32 in the observation group were given equal dosage lamivudine combined with CM treatment depending on syndrome differentiation, all for 12 weeks. The effects of treatment on anxiety state and T-lymphocyte subsets as well as its impact on some CHB-related indices were observed and compared.

RESULTSThe anxiety state of CHB patients was negatively correlated with CD4(+) and CD4(+)/CD8(+); the level of CD4(+) in patients with anxiety was significantly lower than that in non-anxiety patients (P<0.01 or P<0.05). After treatment, anxiety state in the observation group was significantly improved, with their HAMA scores significantly lowered (P<0.01), and the levels of CD4(+) and CD4(+)/CD8(+) were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Moreover, the alanine transaminase recovery rate and the HBV-DNA-negative conversion rate in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group, respectively (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe anxiety state of CHB patients was related to CD4(+) and CD4(+)/CD8(+) levels. CM treatment could improve the anxiety state and showed certain regulatory effect on the patients' immune system.