Six RCTs (240 patients) were included.
Pooled results of RCTs comparing IFN-treatment with placebo or no treatment; OR greater than 1 favour treated patients, and if the CIs include 1, the result is not statistically significant at the 5% level.
Proportion of clearance of HBV DNA from sera: at the end of treatment, OR 4.6 (95% CI: 2.4, 8.7, p<0001); and at the end of the follow-up period, OR 2.2 (95% CI: 1.1, 4.2, p<0.14).
Proportion of clearance of HbeAg: at the end of treatment, OR 3.1 (95% CI: 0.8, 12.0, p=0.099); and at the end of the follow-up period, OR 2.2 (95% CI: 1.1, 4.5, p=0.26).
Proportion of normalisation of serum levels of ALT: OR 2.3 (95% CI: 1.1, 4.6, p=0.17).
The sensitivity analysis found prolonged therapy was associated with better virological response although there was no benefit from higher doses of IFN.
Adverse effects due to IFN-treatment occurred in 4.7% of the patients. These included neutropenia, persistent fever with artromyalgias and thrombocytopenia.