All patients were monitored during treatment for clinical evidence and grade of hepatic encephalopathy, impaired coagulation (abnormal international normalized ratio, IINR), AST/ALT, serum albumin bilirubin levels every week for the first month and then monthly. HBV serology, including serum HBsAg, HBeAg, and anti-HBe were checked at baseline and every 3 months. Anti-HBs titres were checked at 6 and 12 months. Quantitative HBV DNA assay was performed on day 0, day 4, week 1, week 2, week 3, week 4, then every month for the next 2 months and then every 3 months for 12 months.