Changes in MELD-Na & Fibroscan Scores in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis-B on Entecavir: A Cohort Analysis

Abstract

Objective: To determine on-treatment changes in MELD-Na & Fibroscan scores after a period of six months in patients with chronic Hepatitis-B who are treated with Entecavir (ETV).

Methodology: This observational cohort was conducted at Department of Medicine/Gastroenterology, Dow Medical College affiliated with Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan during the period of August 2019 to December 2024. Patients of either gender aged between 18 - 80 years attending hepatitis clinic and who are on treatment for Hepatitis-B with Entecavir were inducted after informed consent. MELD-Na & Fibroscan scores were recorded at induction and after six months of treatment with ETV.

Results: A total of 288 patients were enrolled including 153 (53.1%) were males with mean age of 37.6 ±11.6 years and 135 (46.9%) were females with mean age of 43.5 ±9.6 years. The difference in age between genders was significant (p < .001). Comparison of parameters at induction of study and after six months of treatment with Entecavir using Paired Sample T-Test, we found significant improvement in all parameters except serum albumin which showed significant reduction in levels after six months. MELD-Na Score improved from 9.38 to 8.94 (p <.001). CTP Score & Fibroscan improved from 5.7 to 5.66 (p <.001) & 8.95 to 8.61 (p <.001) respectively. Albumen values reduced from 4.08 to 3.98 (p <.001).

Conclusion: Significant improvement in MELD-Na & Fibroscan scores were observed in patients on treatment with ETV.