Zhong Z, Liao W, Dai L, et al. - In patients with resolved hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, risk of HBV reactivation exists in association with corticosteroid therapy for rheumatic diseases. Researchers herein focused on risk assessment and stratification so that the management of these patients could be guided before corticosteroid therapy.

• A total of 1,303 patients with negative hepatitis B surface antigen positive Anti-hepatitis B core status with or without corticosteroid use were identified for inclusion in this study.

• In this cohort, the median of cumulative dose and time-weighted average dose of prednisone used was 3,000 mg (IQR: 300–6,750 mg) and 15 mg/day (IQR: 10–20 mg/day), respectively.

• Risk for HBV reactivation or hepatitis flare was identified to be higher among patients with time-weighted average prednisone dose greater than 20 mg/day.

• There may be a necessity for providing prophylactic Anti-HBV therapy to these high-risk patients.