A higher alanine aminotransferase level correlates with earlier hepatitis B e antigen seroconversion in lamivudine‐treated chronic hepatitis B patients

Background/Aims: A pretherapy serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level above five times the upper limit of normal (ULN) is known to predict hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion during lamivudine therapy for chronic hepatitis B patients. However, whether an even higher pretherapy serum ALT value or other viral factors could affect treatment responses remains unclear. Patients and methods: A total of 253 HBeAg‐positive chronic hepatitis B patients who had a pretherapy serum ALT level over five times ULN and received lamivudine for 12–18 months were retrospectively collected. Among these patients, 38% had received prior lamivudine treatment. HBeAg seroconversion was the primary endpoint of treatment. Baseline clinical and viral features were compared between responders and non‐responders at the end of treatment and 6 months post‐treatment. Results: At the end of therapy, the overall HBeAg seroconversion rate was 33.6%. For lamivudine‐naïve patients, the HBeAg seroconversion rate was 37.8%. Subgroup analysis showed that patients with pretherapy ALT levels over 10 times ULN had a significantly higher HBeAg seroconversion rate than those with a pretherapy ALT level between five and 10 times ULN at 3 months (P=0.045) and 6 months (P=0.037) of lamivudine treatment. No significant difference was found in terms of pretherapy serum ALT values, viral load and genotypes between seroconverters and non‐seroconverters. Conclusions: For lamivudine‐treated HBeAg‐positive patients with pretherapy ALT levels over five times ULN, an even higher ALT level could predict earlier HBeAg seroconversion; however, neither ALT levels nor viral factors correlate with higher response rates after 12–18 months of treatment.     

血清ALT与慢性乙型肝炎、肝硬化FibroScan 弹性值动态检测结果的相关性

目的探讨肝脏弹性值（LSM）在慢性乙型肝炎发作过程中的变化及ALT对LSM影响。方法 43名慢性乙型肝炎感染者,包括慢性乙型肝炎（CHB）23人、肝炎肝硬化（LC）20人;入院时行腹部B超检查,住院期间每7～10天、出院后每1～3月行Fibroscan（FS）检测,同时行常规血液指标化验。结果 CHB组中LSM与ALT有显著相关性（r=0.324,P=0.004）,偏相关分析提示LSM与ALT无统计学相关性（r=0.190,P=0.098）;随ALT下降,LSM逐渐降至诊断肝硬化界值14.6 kPa以下,呈现持续下降、先升后降或下降后波动等三种模式。LC组中,LSM与ALT无统计学相关性;在ALT好转的11例中,LSM较入院当天下降（P=0.003）,但仍高于肝硬化临界值。结论在非肝硬化CHB患者中,LSM受ALT水平影响较大。动态观察单一患者ALT与LSM变化,可能提高LSM预测肝纤维化准确性。     

Predictors of liver histological changes and a sustained virological response to peginterferon among chronic hepatitis B e antigen‐positive patients with normal or minimally elevated alanine aminotransferase levels

A proportion of chronic hepatitis B patients with normal or only minimally elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels display significant histologic changes and would benefit from antiviral therapy. We aim to evaluate the histologic abnormalities seen in these patients and then determine which of them would most likely respond to peginterferon therapy. One hundred and thirteen hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)‐positive patients with a normal or minimally elevated ALT level and moderate‐to‐severe histologic changes in their liver tissue were selected to receive peginterferon monotherapy and participate in a follow‐up analysis. A multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that increasing age (P=.049) and lower hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels (P=.038) were associated with significant histological abnormalities in patients with a normal or minimally elevated ALT. Our predictive model which incorporated HBeAg testing at treatment week 12 combined with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) testing at treatment week 24 was able to identify which patients with a normal ALT level would achieve a sustained virological response (SVR) (positive predictive value [PPV]: 66.7%, negative predictive value [NPV]: 90.0%). Lower HBsAg and HBeAg levels at treatment week 24 were associated with a SVR in patients with a minimally elevated ALT level (PPV: 100.0%, NPV: 100.0%). A liver biopsy and antiviral therapy should be strongly considered when treating HBeAg‐positive patients with a normal or minimally elevated ALT level, low HBV DNA level, and aged >35 years. On‐treatment quantification of combined HBsAg and HBeAg test results may be useful for predicting a SVR to peginterferon monotherapy in these patients.     

Impact of mild to moderate elevations of alanine aminotransferase on liver stiffness measurement in chronic hepatitis B patients during antiviral therapy

Aim: The accuracy of liver stiffness measurement (LSM) in the diagnosis of liver fibrosis is affected by elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of mild to moderate elevations of ALT on LSM in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) during antiviral therapy. Methods: A total of 58 CHB patients with their ALT levels falling into the range of ×2 to ×10 the upper limit of normal (ULN) were recruited. ALT and LSM values were periodically assessed at baseline and 12, 24 and 48 weeks. Results: The median ALT levels were 153.5 (76–544), 50.5 (11–475), 36.5 (9–265) and 30 (12–239) IU/L at baseline and 12, 24 and 48 weeks, respectively. The corresponding median value of LSM was 8.8 (3.2–47.3), 6.15 (3.2–31.2), 5.9 (3.1–29.1) and 5.5 (2.8–21.5) kpa. However, after the ALT levels were normalized by the treatment, the values of LSM did not vary significantly (6.1 [3.0–17.7] vs 5.25 [2.8–21.5] kpa, P = 0.381). Pretreatment fibrosis stages of liver biopsies corresponded with LSM after ALT normalization rather than baseline LSM (F0–1, 12/27 vs 23/25, P < 0.001). Conclusion: The LSM values decreased in parallel with the decline in ALT levels in CHB patients with mild to moderate elevation of ALT. LSM became more accurate when applied to document the liver fibrosis or cirrhosis in CHB patients after the elevated ALT level has been treated to normal level.     

ALT轻度升高、HBVDNA水平不同的慢性乙型肝炎患者肝组织学差异探讨

肝炎,乙型,慢性;;丙氨酸转氨酶;;肝炎病毒,乙型;;DNA,病毒 %X 目的探讨ALT轻度升高的慢性乙型肝炎（CHB）患者ALT正常值上限二倍上下的肝脏组织学改变有无差异,以解决ALT〈80 U/L的ALT轻度升高的CHB患者抗病毒治疗问题。方法将HBeAg阳性和阴性的两种ALT轻度升高的CHB患者120例,按不同HBV DNA水平分组,再以ALT正常值上限的二倍（80 U/L）分为ALT≥80 U/L和ALT〈80 U/L两组进行肝组织学研究。行肝脏穿刺和病理检查,比较不同HBV DNA水平分组（各分为ALT≥80 U/L和〈80 U/L两组）的肝组织学改变有无差异。结果 HBeAg阳性和阴性两种ALT轻度升高的CHB患者（ALT〈80 U/L与≥80 U/L两组）的不同HBV DNA水平分组的组织学改变情况,两组肝脏的炎症活动度和纤维化分期差异均无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论经比较HBeAg阳性或阴性两种ALT轻度升高的CHB患者的不同HBV DNA水平分组的肝组织学改变情况显示,ALT≥80 U/L和〈80 U/L两组CHB患者的肝脏组织学改变差异均无统计学意义,为ALT〈80 U/L的ALT轻度升高的CHB患者,寻求抗病毒治疗的依据进行了有益的探讨。     

Dynamic evaluation of liver stiffness measurement to improve diagnostic accuracy of liver cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B acute exacerbation

Summary. To investigate the dynamic changes of liver stiffness measurement (LSM) by FibroScan^® and improve its diagnostic accuracy, we studied patients with chronic hepatitis B undergoing acute exacerbation. Eighty‐nine treatment naïve patients were enrolled, and Fibroscan^® was performed every 7–10 days during hospitalization and every 1～3 months for follow‐up. Haematology and liver functions were tested in parallel. Liver biopsies were performed in 23 patients. A total of 282 LSMs were performed. LSM was positively correlated with both alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (r = 0.321, P < 0.001) and bilirubin levels (r = 0.626, P < 0.001). Mean reduction in LSMs in patients along with ALT or bilirubin normalization was significantly greater than those without ALT or bilirubin nomalization(P = 0.001, P = 0.038, respectively). In 23 patients with initial LSMs in the range usually defined as indicating cirrhosis (i.e.>18.2 kPa), only 5 were diagnosed with cirrhosis by histopathology or ultrasonography. As ALT normalized, LSMs remained over 12.0 kPa in all these 5 patients. However, in 18 other patients without cirrhosis at baseline, LSMs still remained above 12.0kPa in 10 patients and decreased to below 12.0 kPa in the other 8 patients. LSMs decreased in parallel with ALT and bilirubin normalization. LSM performed after ALT and bilirubin nomalization may improve the accuracy in diagnosing cirrhosis in patients with exacerbations of hepatitis B.     

Predictive value of aminotransferase and hepatitis B virus DNA levels on response to interferon therapy for chronic hepatitis B

In a previously reported randomized controlled trial of interferon-α (IFN-α) for chronic hepatitis B, we found a significant difference in response between Chinese adults with elevated vs normal pretreatment aminotransferase (ALT) levels. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels and response to IFN therapy. HBV DNA levels in residual stored sera from patients who participated in the above trial were quantified by a branched DNA (bDNA) assay. Nominal logistic regression was used to estimate the probability of response to IFN treatment as a function of pretreatment ALT and/or HBV DNA levels. We found a significant ( P <0.01) correlation between the HBV DNA levels at midtreatment and response to IFN therapy. Response was achieved in 53% of patients who had undetectable HBV DNA levels at midtreatment but in only 17% of those who remained HBV DNA positive ( P <0.01). In contrast, the probabilities of response for patients with baseline HBV DNA levels over the range 10 to 10000 million equivalents (MEq)ml^–1 were almost identical. We also found a significant correlation between the pretreatment ALT levels and response to IFN therapy. The probabilities of response for patients with pretreatment ALT levels of 500 and 100IUl^–1 were higher than for patients with normal ALT levels by two and onefold, respectively. Our findings may help to improve the cost-effectiveness of IFN therapy for chronic hepatitis B by guiding the selection of patients for therapy and in optimizing the duration of treatment for the individual patient.     

Longitudinal changes in serum HBV DNA levels and predictors of progression during the natural course of HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B virus infection

Summary.  We evaluated the longitudinal changes of viraemia and predictors of progression in a prospectively followed cohort of 150 untreated patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. According to the first year of follow-up, 85 patients were classified into inactive carrier state and 65 into chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Serum HBV DNA levels were determined at baseline in all patients, at year-1 in carriers or last pretherapy visit in CHB patients and during alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevations in carriers progressing to CHB. HBV DNA levels at any occasion were ≥80, ≥2000 or ≥20 000 IU/mL in 81%, 23% or 0% of carriers and 100%, 95% or 83% of CHB patients. The cumulative progression rate from carrier to CHB was 11%, 16%, 24% at 2-, 3-, 4 years and was independently associated with higher baseline ALT (always within traditional normal range) and baseline HBV DNA ≥2000 or ≥5000 IU/mL. In 12 carriers progressed to CHB, HBV DNA increased by >1 log₁₀ IU/mL. During 7.5 months of median follow-up, HBV DNA change ≥1 log₁₀ IU/mL was observed in 49% of CHB patients. In conclusion, serum HBV DNA levels are detectable in the majority of inactive HBV carriers exceeding 2000 IU/mL in only 23% and 20 000 IU/mL in none of them. Carriers have approximately 15% 3-year risk of progression to CHB, which is associated with higher baseline ALT and viraemia ≥2000–5000 IU/mL, and thus should be closely followed. Approximately 20% of HBeAg-negative CHB patients have HBV DNA <20 000 IU/mL with fluctuations >1 log₁₀ occurring in many of them.     

Sex differences in relation to serum hepatitis B e antigen and alanine aminotransferase levels among asymptomatic hepatitis B surface antigen carriers

This study aimed to investigate sex differences in relation to hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in chronic asymptomatic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. HBeAg and ALT level were determined in 636 asymptomatic hepatitis B surface antigen carriers. There was no significant sex differences in the age-adjusted prevalence of HBeAg. Abnormal ALT level (>45 IU/l) was more frequent in carriers with HBeAg (17.5% vs 7.6%; P = 0.001). Multivariate analysis indicated that male sex (odds ratio, 2.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.1–3.6) and HBeAg (odds ratio, 2.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.6–4.3) were independent risk factors for abnormal ALT levels. Male sex and HBeAg-positivity are independent risk factors for abnormal ALT activity in chronic HBV infection. This observation may be related to sex differences in chronic HBV infection. Received: June 7, 1999 / Accepted: April 28, 2000     

Relationships between serum aminotransferase levels, liver histologies and virological status in patients with chronic hepatitis C in Taiwan

In patients with chronic hepatitis C, the relationships between serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, histological liver injury and serum hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA titres remain controversial. To evaluate these relationships, 93 Chinese patients with histological diagnosis of chronic hepatitis C were enrolled for this study. Serum ALT levels, HCV-RNA titres and HCV genotypes were examined. The histology was evaluated according to a modified histological activity score based on the degree of periportal necro-inflammation, intralobular necro-inflammation, portal inflammation, total necro-inflammation and fibrosis. The mean serum ALT level was significantly higher in patients with severe intralobular necro-inflammation activity than in patients with mild or no activity (P= 0.013). However, scores of intralobular activity were only weakly correlated with serum ALT levels (r= 0.27) and could not be used to adequately predict ALT values. Serum ALT levels showed no significant correlation with the scores of portal inflammation, periportal necro-inflammation, total necro-inflammation and fibrosis. Also, there was no significant difference in the mean serum ALT level among different serum HCV-RNA levels and HCV genotypes. Serum HCV-RNA titres and genotypes showed no significant correlation with liver histology and serum HCV-RNA titres were only weakly correlated with the total necro-inflammatory score (r= 0.27). In conclusion, although serum ALT levels were higher in patients with more severe intralobular necro-inflammatory activity, the correlation was not strong enough to adequately predict ALT values. Serum HCV-RNA titres and genotypes also showed no significant correlation with serum ALT levels and liver histologies.     

Non‐invasive assessment of liver fibrosis by stiffness measurement in patients with chronic hepatitis B

Background: The need for new non‐invasive tools to assess liver fibrosis in chronic liver diseases has been largely advocated. Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) using transient elastography (FibroScan^®, Echosens^?) has been shown to be correlated to liver fibrosis in various chronic liver diseases. This study aims to assess its diagnosis accuracy in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Patients and methods: We prospectively enrolled 202 patients with chronic hepatitis B in a multicentre study. Patients underwent liver biopsy (LB) and LSM. METAVIR and Ishak liver fibrosis stages were assessed by two pathologists. Results: LSM or LB was considered unreliable in 29 patients. Statistical analysis was conducted in 173 patients. LSM was significantly (P<0.001) correlated with METAVIR (r=0.65) and Ishak fibrosis stage (0.65). The area under receiver‐operating characteristic curves were 0.81 (95% confidence intervals, 0.73–0.86) for F≥2, 0.93 (0.88–0.96) for F≥3 and 0.93 (0.82–0.98) for F=4. Optimal LSM cut‐off values were 7.2 and 11.0 kPa for F≥2 and F=4, respectively, by maximizing the sum D of sensitivity and specificity, and 7.2 and 18.2 kPa by maximizing the diagnosis accuracy. Conclusion: In conclusion, LSM appears to be reliable for detection of significant fibrosis or cirrhosis in HBV patients and cut‐off values are only slightly different from those observed in HCV patients.     

ALT小于2倍正常值上限的慢性乙型肝炎患者显著肝脏炎症的简易血清标志物探索

目的探索有效预测ALT2倍正常值上限(ULN)的慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者显著肝脏炎症的简易血清标志物。方法回顾性纳入278例ALT2×ULN(ULN=40 U/L)的CHB患者。显著肝脏炎症定义为炎症程度(G)≥2。计量资料满足正态分布的组间比较采用t检验;不满足正态分布的采用Kruskal-Wallis秩和检验,计数资料组间比较采用χ2检验。多因素回归分析筛查ALT2×ULN的CHB患者显著肝脏炎症的独立预测因素。受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线评估血清标志物对显著肝脏炎症的诊断价值。结果 278例患者中175例(62.9%)无显著肝脏炎症(G0~1组);103例(37.1%)伴显著肝脏炎症(G2~4组)。2组在ALT、AST、ALP、GGT、白蛋白(Alb)、球蛋白(Glb)、凝血酶原时间(PT)、血小板(PLT)、中性粒细胞绝对数(ANC)、透明质酸(HA)、甘胆酸(CG)、Ⅲ型前胶原(PCⅢ)和IV型胶原(ⅣC)等方面的差异均有统计学意义(P值均0.05)。单因素回归分析发现ALT、AST、ALP、GGT、Glb、PT、HA、CG、PCⅢ和ⅣC的水平越高,伴显著肝脏炎症的可能性越大[比值比(OR)均1,P值均0.05];PLT、Alb和ANC的水平越低,伴显著肝脏炎症的可能性越大(OR均1,P值均0.05)。多因素回归分析发现GGT、PT、IVC和HA是ALT2×ULN CHB患者显著肝脏炎症的独立预测因素(OR值分别为1.015、1.600、1.151、1.014,P值分别为0.008、0.021、0.003、0.018)。GGT、PT、IVC和HA诊断显著肝脏炎症的ROC曲线下面积依次为0.804、0.722、0.707和0.632。GGT≥48.5 U/L预测显著肝脏炎症的特异性为90.3%、阴性预测值为74.6%。结论 GGT、PT、IVC和HA是ALT正常或2倍以内升高CHB患者显著肝脏炎症的独立预测因素,其中以GGT的预测价值最大。     

Do serum ALAT values reflect the inflammatory activity in the liver of patients with chronic viral hepatitis?

Abstract: A retrospective study was carried out in 40 patients with chronic viral hepatitis, to assess whether serum alanine aminotransferase reflects the inflammatory process in the liver. Twenty liver biopsy specimens were included for each disease. Five histological aspects were scored: periportal inflammation, lobular inflammation, ballooning, Councilman bodies and lymphocyte follicles. Logarithmic values of alanine aminotransferase were correlated with each aspect using the Spearman correlation coefficient. For the hepatitis B cohort a statistical significant correlation was found between alanine aminotransferase and periportal inflammation (p=0.0001), lobular inflammation (p=0.0002) and Councilman bodies/area (p=0.003). In the hepatitis C study population alanine aminotransferase correlates with both periportal inflammation (p=0.007) and lymphocyte follicles/Area (p=0.02). In conclusion, these results suggest that alanine aminotransferase can be used as an indicator of inflammatory activity. A prospective study is needed, to further analyze the use of alanine aminotransferase, as a monitor of disease activity in patients with chronic viral hepatitis.     

Viral level is an indicator of long-term outcome of hepatitis B virus e antigen-negative carriers with persistently normal serum alanine aminotransferase levels

Summary. The association between viral level and the long‐term outcomes of hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers who test negative for hepatitis B virus e antigen (HBeAg) but have persistently normal serum alanine aminotransferase levels (PNALT) remains unclear. We examined hepatocarcinogenesis, hepatitis reactivation, predictive factors and the time course of HBV DNA levels during follow‐up in 104 HBeAg‐negative Japanese carriers with PNALT. During a mean follow‐up period of 6.4 ± 3.4 years, 5 patients (4.8%) had hepatocarcinogenesis and 14 (13.5%) had hepatitis reactivation. At 5 and 10 years, the cumulative rates of hepatocarcinogenesis were 2.4% and 9.9%, while those of hepatitis activation were 13.7% and 15.5%, respectively. An HBV DNA level of ≥5 log₁₀ copies/mL was the sole predictor of hepatocarcinogenesis with a univariate analysis. An HBV DNA level of ≥5 log₁₀ copies/mL and an alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level of >20 to ≤40 IU/L were independent predictors of hepatitis reactivation in a Cox model. Because there was no association between hepatocarcinogenesis and ALT activity, the HBV DNA level was considered an essential predictor. In addition, the baseline HBV DNA level was related to the future level and was not subject to wide fluctuations. Our results showed that an HBV DNA level of ≥5 log₁₀ copies/mL predicts subsequent hepatocarcinogenesis and hepatitis reactivation in HBeAg‐negative carriers with PNALT. As the baseline HBV DNA level reflects the future level, appropriate clinical management according to the viral level is expected to decrease future risk.     

Evaluation of a logistic regression model for predicting liver necroinflammation in hepatitis B e antigen‐negative chronic hepatitis B patients with normal and minimally increased alanine aminotransferase levels

Liver necroinflammation is the indicator for treating patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection. However, there is no suitable non‐invasive index for diagnosing liver necroinflammation. This study aimed to create a non‐invasive index to predict liver necroinflammation in patients who lack clear‐cut clinical inflammation parameters. Patients who were hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)‐negative and underwent liver histological diagnosis, had a normal or minimally increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level were enrolled. Liver necroinflammation was defined as histological active index ≥4. A logistic regression model (LRM) was established based on the parameters independently associated with liver necroinflammation. Of all 550 patients, 36.73% had necroinflammation. In patients with an abnormal ALT level, the rate of necroinflammation was 52.49%. The area under the curve (AUC) of the ALT level for predicting necroinflammation was 0.655 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.609‐0.702), and that of the HBV DNA level ≥2000 IU/mL combined with an abnormal ALT level was 0.618. By using the LRM, the AUC improved to 0.769 (95% CI, 0.723‐0.815) with a Youden index of 0.519 and diagnostic accuracy of 75.3%. The cutoff value ≥0.7 in the LRM had a specificity of 97.4% and positive predictive value of 85.0% for predicting necroinflammation. By using the cutoff value <0.15 in the LRM, the presence of necroinflammation could be excluded with a negative predictive value of 90.8%. This study indicated that the LRM can be used to effectively diagnose liver necroinflammation in HBeAg‐negative patients with CHB who have normal or minimally elevated ALT levels.     

A 7‐year study of lamivudine therapy for hepatitis B virus e antigen‐positive chronic hepatitis B patients in China

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long‐term efficacy and safety of lamivudine treatment for chronic hepatitis B and the impact of emergence of YMDD mutation of hepatitis B virus (HBV). METHODS: A total of 429 patients with serum HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV DNA positive were randomized to receive either lamivudine 100 mg daily or a placebo in a 3:1 ratio for the first 12 weeks. Thereafter, all patients were administered with lamivudine 100 mg/d for 5 years and followed up for 2 years. RESULTS: After 12 weeks of the lamivudine treatment, serum HBV DNA levels decreased rapidly and HBV DNA negativity (<1.6 pg/mL) was 92.2%, whereas it was only 14.1% (P < 0.01) in the placebo group. At the end of 5 years, serum HBV DNA continued to be substantially suppressed. The loss of HBeAg and seroconversion were significantly correlated with baseline alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, in patients with baseline ALT > 2 × upper limits of normal, the loss of HBeAg was 54% and seroconversion rate was 50%, respectively. YMDD mutation developed in 70.8% of the patients at years 5. In YMDD mutant patients, HBV DNA levels were increased moderately and with mild to moderate elevations of ALT. ALT flares (ALT > 5ULN) occurred in 22 patients, 16 with YMDD variants and six with non‐variants. One year durability of seroconversion after stopping lamivudine was 80%. CONCLUSION: Lamivudine is effective and tolerable for chronic hepatitis B.     

Baseline and kinetics of serum hepatitis B virus RNA predict response to pegylated interferon‐based therapy in patients with hepatitis B e antigen‐negative chronic hepatitis B

Serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) RNA has emerged as a novel biomarker of treatment response. This study aimed to investigate the role of this marker in predicting long‐term outcome of patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)‐negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB) receiving pegylated interferon (PEG‐IFN)‐based therapy. Serial serum samples from 91 patients with HBeAg‐negative CHB previously treated with PEG‐IFN alone or combined with entecavir in a randomized trial were retrospectively analysed. HBV RNA quantification was examined by droplet digital PCR. At the end of 3 years post‐treatment follow‐up, maintained virological response (MVR, HBV DNA < 2000 IU/mL), and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance were achieved in 37.4% (34/91) and 7.7% (7/91), respectively. Baseline serum HBV RNA concentrations correlated with HBV DNA and covalently closed circular DNA but did not correlate with HBsAg levels. Multiple regression analysis showed that pre‐treatment HBV RNA and HBsAg were independently associated with MVR and HBsAg clearance. Baseline HBV RNA (cut‐off 2.0 log₁₀ copies/mL) had a positive predictive value (PPV) and a negative predictive value in predicting MVR of 80.8% and 80.0%, respectively. At the same cut‐off value, PPV and NPV for predicting HBsAg clearance were 30.8% and 95.4%, respectively. At week 12 during therapy, HBV RNA level ≥ 2 log₁₀ copies/mL displayed high NPVs of achieving MVR and HBsAg clearance (95% and 100%, respectively). In conclusion, the measurement of HBV RNA prior to PEG‐IFN‐based therapy could identify patients with high probability of MVR. In addition, HBV RNA kinetics may serve as a promising “stopping rule” in patients infected with HBV genotypes B or C.