Anti-HCV was measured using a chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay kit (Lumipulse II HCV; Fujirebio). HCV RNA in the serum was analyzed by using the standardized automated quantitative PCR (COBAS AMPLICOR HCV MONITOR v2.0 Test; COBAS® AmpliPrep/COBAS® Taq-Man® HCV Test; Roche Molecular Diagnostics) as reported previously (24 (link),25 (link)). Similarly, HCV genotype was determined by PCR as reported previously (26 (link)).
Ultrasonographic examinations were performed on all patients in order to investigate the shape of the liver and to identify the lesions in the organ. Computed tomography were performed on all patients. Liver biopsies were performed on patients without bleeding tendencies (i.e., those who did not present with low platelet counts). Other potential predictors of the progression of LC, including serum Alb, T. Bil, PT and Plt were also used. The fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index, a biomarker that has been demonstrated to be effective in assessing liver fibrosis and LC, was calculated using the following formula: Age (years) x AST (U/l)/[Plt (109/l) x ALT (U/l)1/2] (27 (link)). An FIB-4 index ≥2.67 indicated the presence of liver fibrosis (28 (link)).
Ultrasonographic examinations were performed on all patients in order to investigate the shape of the liver and to identify the lesions in the organ. Computed tomography were performed on all patients. Liver biopsies were performed on patients without bleeding tendencies (i.e., those who did not present with low platelet counts). Other potential predictors of the progression of LC, including serum Alb, T. Bil, PT and Plt were also used. The fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index, a biomarker that has been demonstrated to be effective in assessing liver fibrosis and LC, was calculated using the following formula: Age (years) x AST (U/l)/[Plt (109/l) x ALT (U/l)1/2] (27 (link)). An FIB-4 index ≥2.67 indicated the presence of liver fibrosis (28 (link)).
