Long-Term Safety in HBsAg-Negative, HBcAb-Positive Patients with Rheumatic Diseases Receiving Maintained Steroid Therapy after Pulse Therapy.

Amongst the HBsAg-negative, anti-HBc-positive rheumatic patients treated with GC pulse therapy, the risk of HBV-associated hepatitis within the first year was low. HBsAg seroreversion may have developed in the later stage, but only in those patients who had maintained high-dose oral steroid.