Awareness of HBV Functional Cure and Attitude Toward Related Clinical Trials Among Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B in China

PURPOSE: HBV functional cure is an optimal treatment goal for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) at present and numerous new drugs aiming for HBV functional cure are in development. We carried out an internet-based survey to understand the treatment status, unmet needs, awareness of HBV functional cure and attitude toward related clinical trials among CHB patients in China. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An internet-based anonymous survey was conducted on CHB patients who reside in mainland China. Determinants of awareness and attitude were identified by logistic regression models. RESULTS: Of the 1220 CHB patients who completed the survey questionnaire, 11.1% (135/1220) were aware of HBV functional cure and 50.2% (612/1220) answered “definitely will” to participate in related clinical trials. Participants who knew their HBsAg level (HBsAg<1500 IU/mL: OR=3.03, 95% CI: 1.87–4.92; HBsAg≥1500 IU/mL: OR=2.57, 95% CI: 1.35–4.88), who expected to achieve HBsAg loss with treatment (OR=1.63, 95% CI: 1.07–2.50) and who were dissatisfied with current treatment due to the failure of achieving HBsAg loss (OR=1.67, 95% CI: 1.10–2.53) had better awareness of HBV functional cure. Participants who had HBsAg level less than 1500 IU/mL (OR=1.45, 95% CI: 1.05–1.99), treatment with pegylated interferon alpha with or without nucleos(t)ide (OR=1.68, 95% CI: 1.11–2.53) and better awareness of HBV functional cure (OR=1.62, 95% CI: 1.01–2.61) were more likely to say “definitely will” to participate in related clinical trials. CONCLUSION: Chinese CHB patients reported a low awareness of HBV functional cure. Although CHB patients in China reported a low rate of HBV functional cure awareness, they had a high acceptance of related clinical trials.