Comparison of the effectiveness and renal safety of tenofovir versus entecavir in patients with chronic hepatitis B

Farm Hosp. 2016 Jun 1;40(4):279-86. doi: 10.7399/fh.2016.40.4.10492.

Abstract

Objective: To compare the effectiveness and renal safety of treatment with tenofovir versus entecavir in patients with chronic hepatitis-B.

Methods: Retrospective study in hepatitis-B patients who initiated treatment with tenofovir or entecavir since January 1998 until 2013. The primary effectiveness variable was defined as viral DNA < 20 UI/ml (HBV-DNA) and the variable for renal safety was variations in glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) after 48 weeks of treatment.

Results: The analysis was conducted in 64 patients (1:1), with similar characteristics except for the prevalence of naive patients (p=0.036), comorbidities (p=0.077) and nephrotoxic drugs (p=0.088) in the entecavi arm, while the tenofovir arm presented a prevalence of patients with HBV-DNA < 20 UI/ml (p=0.032) and HBeAg-positive (p=0.050). Statistical univariate analysis and adjustment for confounding variables was conducted through the Propensity Score (PS). The outcomes for the primary effectiveness variable showed tenofovir superiority after PS adjustment, with an ORadj=6.7 (95% CI:1.2-35.3; p=0.028). Three patients on tenofovir experienced seroconversion (p=0.148). The outcomes for the primary safety variable (eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73m2) showed no difference between both arms after adjustment, achieving an ORadj=0.6 (95% CI:0.1-2.8; p=0.521). The tenofovir arm registered two cases of treatment interruption due to renal toxicity, with subsequent recovery, including one Fanconi Syndrome.

Conclusions: In our study, there are significant differences between both treatments regarding effectiveness, with tenofovir demonstrating superiority. In terms of renal safety, we have not found any significant differences, but two cases of treatment interruption due to renal toxicity with tenofovir lead us to the conclusion that treatment decision in patients with renal function alteration should include an individualized assessment of each case.

Objetivo: Comparar la efectividad y seguridad renal del tratamiento con tenofovir frente al entecavir en pacientes con hepatitis B cronica. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo en pacientes con hepatitis B que iniciaron tratamiento con tenofovir o entecavir entre enero 1998-2013. La variable principal de la efectividad fue definida como DNA viral < 20 UI/ml (HBV-DNA) y la de la seguridad renal como variaciones en el filtrado glomerular (eGFR) tras 48 semanas de tratamiento. Resultados: Se analizaron un total de 64 pacientes (1:1), con caracteristicas semejantes excepto por el predominio de pacientes sin tratamiento previo (p=0,036), comorbilidades (p=0,077) y farmacos nefrotoxicos (p=0,088) en el grupo-entecavir, y de pacientes con HBV-DNA < 20 UI/ml (p=0,032) y HBeAg-positivo (p=0,050) en el grupo-tenofovir. Se realizaron analisis estadisticos univariantes y se ajustaron las variables confusoras mediante Propensity score (PS). Los resultados para la variable principal de efectividad (HBV-DNA < 20 UI/ml) denotan una superioridad del tenofovir tras el ajuste por PS con una ORadj= 6,7 (IC95%: 1,2-35,3; p=0,028). Tres pacientes con tenofovir sufrieron seroconversion (p=0,148). Los resultados para la variable principal de seguridad (eGFR < 60ml/min/1.73m2) no mostraron diferencias entre ambas ramas tras el ajuste, obteniendo una ORadj= 0,6 (IC95%: 0,1-2,8; p=0,521). El grupo-tenofovir registro dos casos de suspension por toxicidad renal, con posterior recuperacion, entre ellos un sindrome de Fanconi. Conclusiones: En nuestro estudio existen diferencias significativas entre ambos tratamientos respecto a su efectividad, mostrandose el tenofovir superior. En cuanto a la seguridad renal, no hemos encontrado diferencias significativas, pero dos casos de suspension de tratamiento por toxicidad renal con tenofovir nos llevan a concluir que la decision de tratamiento en los pacientes con alteraciones en la funcion renal deberia incluir un analisis individualizado de cada caso.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antiviral Agents / adverse effects
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Guanine / adverse effects
  • Guanine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Guanine / therapeutic use
  • Hepatitis B e Antigens / analysis
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / drug therapy*
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / virology
  • Humans
  • Kidney Diseases / chemically induced
  • Kidney Diseases / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tenofovir / adverse effects
  • Tenofovir / therapeutic use*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Hepatitis B e Antigens
  • entecavir
  • Guanine
  • Tenofovir