Abstract: Objective To observe the therapeutic effects of 48-week telbivudine treatment in patients with cirrhosis caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) .Methods In this cohort study, 93 patients with liver cirrhosis caused by HBV were divided into three groups randomly: telbivudine (LDT) group (n=32) , lamivudine (LMV) group (n=31) , and control group (n=30) : conventional liver protection treatment.The course of treatment lasted 48 weeks.The virological and biochemical parameters, PT, hepatic fibrosis index and Child-Pugh score were observed at different time points during treatment.Results The HBV DNA levels in telbivudine group were significantly decreased.The negative rates of HBV DNA (<500 copies/ml) were correspondingly and significantly higher than those in lamivudine group and control group (P<0.05) .At week 24 and 48, the negative rates of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and the rates of HBeAg/anti-HBe sero-conversion in telbivudine group were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.01) .ALT, AST, total bilirubin, hepatic fibrosis index and Child-Pugh score were significantly improved in telbivudine group and lamivudine group after treatment (P<0.05) .Conclusion Telbivudine can rapidly and effectively inhibit HBV DNA replication and improve liver function, hepatic fibrosis index and Child-Pugh score in patients with liver cirrhosis caused by HBV.