Fig. 4. Forest plot of the length of follow-up.

Red indicates significant improvement compared with the control group; blue indicates no significant improvement. Liver function indices, such as ALB and MELD, were significantly improved at 2 weeks and maintained for 24 weeks (p < 0.05). Coagulation function indices, such as PT and PC, were significantly improved at 4 weeks and maintained for 24 weeks (p < 0.05). ALB was non-significantly improved at 48 weeks (p > 0.05).

Abbreviations: ALB, albumin; ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; F, fixed effects model; INR, international normalized ratio; MELD, model for end-stage liver disease; PC, prothrombin concentration; PT, prothrombin time; PTA, prothrombin activity; Phet, p value of heterogeneity; R, random effects models; TBIL, total bilirubin.