Favorable effect of corticosteroids in treating acute-on-chronic liver failure underlying chronic hepatitis B.
- Author:
Hyeji KIM
1
;
Jung Hyun KWON
;
Yong Hee KIM
;
Soon Woo NAM
;
Jong Yul LEE
;
Jeong Won JANG
Author Information
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords: Acute-on-chronic liver failure; Chronic hepatitis B; Corticosteroid; Exacerbation; Reactivation
- MeSH: Acute-On-Chronic Liver Failure*; Adrenal Cortex Hormones*; Female; Fibrosis; Hepatitis B, Chronic*; Hepatitis, Chronic*; Humans; Liver; Liver Diseases; Middle Aged
- From:Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2018;24(4):430-435
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) occurs in the presence of a chronic liver disease or cirrhosis, and often results from exacerbation of chronic hepatitis B (CHB). The efficacy of corticosteroid treatment in ACLF patients with underlying CHB remains unclear. We report the case of a 50-year-old woman who experienced ACLF due to CHB exacerbation and was treated with a combination of corticosteroids and nucleot(s)ide analogue (NUC). The patient showed rapid decompensation due to CHB exacerbation. Three months of antiviral therapy produced no improvement in liver function. Combination therapy with corticosteroids and NUC was started, which did result in improvement of liver function. This case shows that the combined therapy of corticosteroids and NUC can be effective in treating ACLF due to CHB exacerbation.
