Abstract
Objective: To compare the real-world efficacy and safety profile of tenofovir amibufenamid (TMF) and tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) tablets in the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Methods: This retrospective study included patients with chronic hepatitis B who received TMF and TAF antiviral treatment at the Infectious Disease Outpatient Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2021 to December 2023. The primary and secondary outcome was to study the patient HBV DNA conversion rate (<20 IU/ml), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization rate, renal function, and lipid levels of patients at 48 weeks of treatment. The comparison of data between measurement data groups was differentiated using a t-test and Mann-Whitney U test. The inter-group comparison rate in count data was performed using the χ(2) test or Fisher's exact probability. Results: A total of 440 cases were enrolled, including 220 in the TMF group (63 treatment-naïve and 157 treatment-experienced) and 220 cases in the TAF group (61 treatment-naïve and 159 treatment-experienced). In terms of efficacy, the HBV DNA seroconversion rates in the TMF group and TAF group were 90.5% and 85.2% (P=0.372), respectively, while the ALT normalization rates were 92.1% and 88.5% (P=0.505), respectively, at 48 weeks of treatment. The HBV DNA-negative conversion rate for the newly treated patients was 99.4% and 98.7%, respectively (P=1.000), while the rates of ALT normalization were 94.9% and 92.3%, respectively (P=0.863). In terms of safety profile, the serum creatinine level was lower in the TMF group than that in the TAF group at 48 weeks of treatment [TMF group 66.5 (56.3, 78.3) μmol/L, TAF group 70.6 (60.7, 77.8) μmol/L, Z=-2.282, P=0.022]. However, there was no statistically significant difference in other renal function and tubular function related indicators between the two groups of patients (P>0.05). The serum high-density lipoprotein levels were higher in the TMF group than those in the TAF group [TMF 1.4 (1.1, 1.6) mmol/L vs. TAF group 1.3 (1.1, 1.6) mmol/L, Z=-2.204, P=0.027] at 48 weeks of treatment. However, there was no statistically significant difference in other blood lipid indicators between the two groups of patients (P>0.05). Conclusion: There is no statistically significant difference in efficacy and safety profiles between TMF and TAF at 48 weeks in the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis B, and the overall safety profile is favorable.