The course of choric hepatitis B is characterized by clinical and biochemical exacerbation and remission. Clearance rate of HBeAg can be different at different geographic areas, and has been reported to be higher in older patients. The clearance
of
HBeAg is also usually preceded by biochemiccal exacerbation and followed by biochemical remission. therefore, high ALT level can be a predictor of imminent clearance of HBeAg. However, the clearance rate of HBeAg and its affecting factors have
not
been
determined in Korea. Therefore, we conducted a prospective, longitudinal study to analyze the HBeAg clearance rate, and its relationship to biochemical remission in 102 HBeAgpositive Korean patients with chronic hepathis B virus infection. They
were
followed over a period of 1-3 yr with regular chekup for serum HBVeAg and biochemical liver function tests every 1-3 months. the probability of HBeAg clearance for the patients over 40 years of age were 24.7%, 44.2% and 62.1% at the end of 1.2
and
3
years, respectively. The mean annual cumulative probability of HBeAg clearance was 16% for all 102 patients, and was significantly higher especially in patients whose initial ALT levels were above or equal to 120 IU/L (22%) than in those whose
initial
ALT levels below 120 IU/L (14%). Of 39 patietns who cleared HBeAg, 25 patients (64%) experienced biochemical remissions at the time of HBeAg clearance, and furthermore, out of the rest 14 patients. 13 patients showed biochemical remission within
12
months following HBeAg clearance. these data suggest that the mean annual cumulative rate (16%) of spontaneous HBeAg clearance. these data accordance with those of other Asian countries, and the hith inital ALT level (above ×3 of normal) can be
regarded as an independent clinical variable for predicting the high probability of HBeAg clearance as well as the age of the patient. We also confirmed a high biochemical remission rate in patients who cleared HBeAg.
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