Strengthening self-management improves treatment compliance and outcome in hepatitis B patients with decompensated cirrhosis treated with entecavir

Objective To investigate the effect of strengthening self-management on the treatment compliance and outcome in hepatitis B patients with decompensated cirrhosis treated with entecavir. Methods A total of 120 hepatitis B patients with decompensated cirrhosis, who received antiviral therapy with entecavir in our hospital from January 2010 to January 2012, were randomly divided into control group ( n= 60) and intervention group ( n = 60) . Both groups received routine nursing care; in addition, regular telephone follow-up was performed for the intervention group to provide guidance for the self-management during the comprehensive prevention and treatment of decompensated cirrhosis. The two groups were compared in terms of withdrawal rate, rehospitalization rate, hepatitis B virus ( HBV) DNA negative conversion rate, incidence of primary liver cancer, and mortality one year later. Continuous data were analyzed by t test, and categorical data by chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. Results The withdrawal rate and rehospitalization rate in the intervention group were 0 and 18. 3%, respectively, versus 8. 3% and 35% in the control group ( P < 0. 05 for both) . The HBV DNA negative conversion rate, incidence of primary liver cancer, and mortality in the intervention group were 90%, 3. 3%, and 5. 3%, versus 88. 3%, 5%, and 6. 7% in the control group ( P >0.05 for all) . Conclusion Strengthening self-management, as well as regular health education, can improve treatment compliance and promote recovery in hepatitis B patients with decompensated cirrhosis treated with entecavir.