Abstract: ObjectiveTo observe the antiviral efficacy and safety of adefovir in the treatment of elderly patients with hepatitis B. MethodsFifty elderly patients aged over 65 year old with chronic hepatitis B （CHB） were divided into group A（n=30）and group B（n=20）,and thirty patients with hepatitis B aged （46.31±2.18） yr were selected in group C who took adefovir at dose of 10 mg daily as initial treatment as the same treatment as in group A. The three groups were observed at admission,12 weeks,24 weeks,48 weeks,96 weeks and 144 weeks after treatment for virologic response and renal functions. All patients were followed-up for three years. Results At 24 weeks,there was no significant difference of liver normalization rates in group A （83.6%） and group C（86.7%）;At 48 weeks and 96 weeks,serum HBV DNA loss rate in group A was obviously higher than that in group C（80.0% and 80.0% vs. 60.0% and 66.7%,respectively,P<0.05）;At the end of three years,there was no statistically significant difference of blood creatinine in the three groups;At 96 week treatment,2 patients in group A had blood creatinine levels mildly elevated,but returning to normal after 2 month observation,3 cases in group C had mild abnormal creatinine elevation,not recovered within three months,but got back to normal when the dosage of adefovir half-decreased. Conclusion The application of adefovir in elderly patients with chronic hepatitis B can improve liver functions,and have a good antiviral efficacy.

Key words: Hepatitis B, Adefovir, Efficacy, Renal functions, Elderly