| eAg positive (n = 25) (11 M, 14 F) | eAg negative (n = 122) (44 M, 78 F) | |||
| Viral load | <20000 IU/ml | ⩾20000 IU/ml | <2000 IU/ml | ⩾2000 IU/ml |
| ALT >40 IU/ml | 1 (0M, 1F) | 12 (10M, 2F) | 30 (21M, 9F) | 17 (10M, 7F) |
| ALT 30–40 IU/ml (M) or 19–40 IU/ml (F)* | 4 (0M, 4F) | 8 (1M, 7F) | 56 (6M, 50F) | 14 (5M, 9F) |
| Possible increase in liver biopsy numbers | NA | 67% | NA | 82% |
| ALT >80 IU/ml | 1 (0M, 1F) | 10 (8M, 2F) | 13 (10M, 3 F) | 5 (4M, 1F) |
| ALT 60–80 IU/ml (M) or 38–80 IU/ml (F)† | 0 | 2 (0M, 2F) | 10 (4M, 6F) | 7 (1M, 6F) |
| Possible increase in treated patients | NA | 20% | NA | 140% |
NA, not applicable.
*New ALT upper limit of normal (ULN) above which a biopsy may be warranted.
†2× ULN of ALT above which treatment may be warranted.