Table 2.

Multivariate logistic regression analysis of independent predictors of severe hepatic fibrosis

Variable	Odds ratio	95% CI	P
Age	1.312	1.020-1.688	0.035
Male gender	14.138	0.835-239.266	0.066
Increased serum iron store	0.834	0.081-8.595	0.879
Positive hepatic iron stain	1.584	0.067-37.349	0.775
Viral load	1.412	0.923-2.161	0.112

CI: Confidence interval; ALT: Alanine aminotransferase. The increased serum iron store was defined by transferrin saturation > 50% and/or ferritin > upper normal limit. The ALT and viral genotype were eliminated in multivariate backward logistic regression analysis. We forcibly add the two factors increased serum iron store and positive hepatic iron stain into the analysis.