* p-value versus adefovir dipivoxil < 0.05, a Complete response defined as HBV DNA levels < 400 copies/ ml and Knodell necroinflammatory score improvement of at least 2 points without worsening in Knodell fibrosis, b Knodell necroinflammatory score improvement of at least 2 points without worsening in Knodell fibrosis, c Median change from baseline HBV DNA merely reflects the difference between baseline HBV DNA and the limit of detection (LOD) of the assay, d The population used for analysis of ALT normalisation included only patients with ALT above ULN at baseline.