A Follow-Up Study on the Renal Protective Efficacy of Telbivudine for Hepatitis B Virus-Infected Taiwanese Patients After Living Donor Liver Transplant.

OBJECTIVES: Preservation of renal function is an important issue after living donor liver transplant. We aimed to examine the renal protective efficacy of telbivudine in hepatitis B virus-infected patients after living donor liver transplant.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, we compared 18 patients who received telbivudine 600 mg once per day and 23 patients who received entecavir 1 mg once per day after living donor liver transplant. Clinical data were obtained through chart review and included Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score and pre- and postoperative aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and creatinine levels and estimated glomerular filtration rate.

RESULTS: Posttransplant estimated glomerular filtration rates and creatinine levels were calculated, and improvement of renal function was found in the group of patients who received telbivudine. Significant improvements were shown in estimated glomerular filtration rates started after 9 months of administration and creatinine levels after 12 months compared with patients who received entecavir.

CONCLUSIONS: In our study, long-term telbivudine therapy is associated with a sustained improvement of renal function in patients with hepatitis B virus infection after living donor liver transplant.