Reply: Cautious interpretation of the association between finite treatment and better prognosis in initially HBeAg-negative hepatitis B patients with cirrhosis

Reply: Halting antiviral therapy in patients with cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis B: A dangerous game?

“…As detailed in Table 1 of our earlier reply the rate of the non-HCC liver-related death/liver transplantations, including the ACLF rate in the finite group, was not higher [7 (1.4%) vs. 16 (2.7%)]. [2] This rate in finitegroup aligns with ~1% reported in a systematic review. [5] Hence, deeming finite therapy a dangerous game is absolutely wrong.…”

“…Regrettably, Chen et al wrongfully inflated the ACLF/hepatic decompensation death rate in the finite group. As detailed in Table 1 of our earlier reply the rate of the non-HCC liver–related death/liver transplantations, including the ACLF rate in the finite group, was not higher [7 (1.4%) vs. 16 (2.7%)] 2 . This rate in finite-group aligns with ~1% reported in a systematic review 5 .…”

“…The comments of Chen et al are similar to earlier letters, to which we have previously responded. [1,2] They have additional questions probably because they missed/ neglected relevant information in our study and our previous reply letters. [1] (their reference 3).…”