Table 2. Linear Regression Analysis of associated factors of LS change for patients without liver cirrhosis (group 1).

	comparison	n	LS change	Univariate			Multivariate
			(mean±SD)	Coefficients	SE	p value	Coefficients	SE	p value
Intercept							−3.407	0.355	<0.001
Sex	Female	40	2.0±5.	−0.535	0.739	0.471
	Male	92	1.5±3.3
Diabetes	No	109	1.7±3.8	−0.286	0.897	0.751
	Yes	23	1.4±4.5
Initial AST (IU/L)	≦40	84	0.9±2.3	2.112	0.683	0.002
	>40	48	3.0±5.5
Initial ALT (IU/L)	≦40	70	1.3±3.6	0.823	0.678	0.227
	>40	62	2.1±4.2
Follow-up AST (IU/L)	≦40	115	1.9±3.8	−2.050	1.001	0.043	−4.584	0.538	<0.001
	>40	17	−0.1±4.4
Follow-up ALT (IU/L)	≦40	99	1.9±4.0	−1.012	0.781	0.197
	>40	33	0.9±3.7
Total bilirubin (mg/ml)	<1.4	120	1.4±3.2	2.480	1.164	0.035
	>1.4	12	3.9±8.1
BMI (kg/m2)	≦27	104	1.6±3.7	0.402	0.832	0.630
	>27	28	2.0±4.6
HBeAg	Negative	78	1.4±3.4	0.707	0.690	0.308	0.714	0.356	0.047
	Positive	54	2.1±4.5
HBVDNA (iu/ml)	<2000	70	1.1±3.0	1.093	0.675	0.108
	≧2000	62	2.2±4.7
AFP (ng/ml)	≦15	125	1.4±3.2	4.068	1.477	0.007
	>15	7	5.5±10.0
Age (year)	49.2±11.9		1.7±3.9	0.028	0.029	0.322
Interval of LS measurement (wks)	52.8±20.3			0.042	0.016	0.011
Therapy before initial LS measurement (wks)	36.6±45.5			−0.017	0.007	0.024
Therapy before follow-up LS measurement (wks)	89.4±49.4			−0.007	0.007	0.301
Initial LS (kPa)	8.0±5.0			0.602	0.044	<0.001	0.675	0.036	<0.001

Abbreviations: SE: standard error; AST: aspartate aminotransferase; ALT: alanine aminotransferase; BMI: body mass index; AFP: alpha-fetoprotein; LS: liver stiffness; wks: weeks; HBeAg: hepatitis B virus e-antigen.