Table 1.
Characteristics of hepatitis B e antigen--negative chronic active hepatitis B patients and asymptomatic hepatitis B virus carriers
| Parameters | Group A (n = 21) | Group B (n = 13) | P value |
| Males (%) | 12/21 (57) | 7/13 (54) | NS |
| Age (yr) | 44 (19-60) | 39.5 (32-47) | NS |
| HBV DNA (c/mL) | 1.25×106 (0.04×106-3×106) | < 1000 | N/A |
| ALT (IU/L) | 90 (73-108) | 32 (22-39) | < 0.001 |
| AST (IU/L) | 85 (69-102) | 28 (17-39) | < 0.001 |
| Histopathology | N/A | ||
| HAI score | |||
| Category A | 2 (1-4) | ||
| Category B | 0 (0-1) | ||
| Category C | 2 (0-3) | ||
| Category D | 3 (1-4) | ||
| Total score | 7 (4-13) | ||
| Stage | 2 |
Data expressed as median (min-max), upper limit of normal for both aminotransferases: 40 IU/L. Group A: Hepatitis B e antigen--negative chronic active hepatitis B patients; Group B: Asymptomatic hepatitis B virus carriers. NS: Non-significant; NA: Not applicable; HBV: Hepatitis B virus; ALT: Alanine amiotransferase; AST: Aspartate aminotransferase; HAI: Hepatitis activity index.