A meta-analysis compared the treatment of chronic hepatitis B with combination therapy (peginterferon-α with nucleo(t)ide analogues) versus monotherapy with peginterferon-α alone. The study included eleven clinical trials with a total of 2,439 patients. After 48 weeks of treatment, the rate of HBsAg clearance (removal of the antigen from the blood) was significantly higher in the combination therapy group compared to monotherapy. However, after 24 weeks of post-treatment follow-up, there was no longer a significant difference between the groups. No significant differences were observed in HBsAg seroconversion (change in immune status) either after 48 weeks of treatment or after 24 weeks of follow-up. The study concluded that combination therapy provides higher short-term HBsAg clearance, but lasting benefits appear to require longer-term treatment.