Table 5 : Comparison of different therapies in the treatment of CHB

    Conventional IFN   Pegylated IFN   Lamivudine   Adefovir
Treatment duration   Defined   Defined   Undefined   Undefined
HBeAg+   4 - 6 months   6 months   At least 1 year   At least 1 year
HBeAg-   1 year   1 year   >1 yr   >1 yr
Cirrhosis   Contraindicated in decompensated   Contraindicated in decompensated   >1 yr   >1 yr
Administration   Sc 3 x/wk   Sc 1 x/wk   Oral   Oral
E-seroconversion   More durable   More durable   Durable   Durable
Side effect   Flu like illness, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia depression, thyroid dysfunction   Flu like illness, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia depression, thyroid dysfunction   Insignificant   Nephrotoxicity, hypophosphataemia
Resistance   No   No   Yes
1 yr
2 yr
3 yr
4 yr
5 yr 		  24%
39%
49%
66%
69%
  Yes
1 yr
2 yr
3 yr
4 yr
5 yr 		  24%
39%
49%
66%
69%
Cost (HK$)   $8900/month   $7400/month   $900/month   $2100/month