We lack population-based studies that identify the role of entecavir (ETV) in extending long-term survival in chronic hepatitis B (CHB)-related decompensated liver cirrhotic patients. Since 2010, National Health Insurance in Taiwan has covered long-term medical payment for antiviral therapy in CHB-related cirrhotic patients whose HBV DNA is ≥ 2000 IU/mL. We studied the effect of ETV on the mortality of CHB-related decompensated cirrhosis patients compared with patients who did not receive antiviral agents at baseline.

From the Taiwan National Health Insurance Database, we collected 758 CHB-related decompensated cirrhosis patients with elevated viral loads (HBV DNA ≥ 2000  IU/mL) using ETV and discharged between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2013. The comparison group consisted of 1516 selected CHB-related decompensated cirrhotic patients without antiviral therapy at baseline using propensity score matching analysis.

The 1-, 2-, and 3-year mortality probabilities were 34.7%, 42.5%, and 48.5 % in the ETV group and 21.1%, 37.8% and 51.3 % in the non-ETV group, respectively. Based on a Cox proportional hazards regression model adjusted by patients’ sex, age, and comorbid disorders, the hazard ratios (HR) in the ETV group for 1-year, 1–2-year, and 2–3-year mortalities were 1.22 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05–1.43, P = .010), 1.02 (0.86–1.20, P = .866), and 0.59 (0.38–0.90, P = .016), compared with the non-ETV group.

Even in CHB-related decompensated cirrhotic patients, higher initial viral loads were correlated with poor outcomes. However, the long-term usage of ETV can decrease long-term mortality in these patients.