Table 1.
Baseline characteristics of the 71 patients
| Variable | N = 71 |
|---|---|
| Gender (male/female) | 38/33 |
| Age (years) | 65 (43–86) |
| White blood cell (/mm3) | 3420 (1500–7800) |
| Hemoglobin (g/dL) | 11.7 (7.9–16.0) |
| Platelets (× 103/mm3) | 77 (29–186) |
| AST (U/L) | 55 (20–152) |
| ALT (U/L) | 31 (11–119) |
| Serum albumin (g/dL) | 2.9 (1.9–4.5) |
| Total bilirubin (mg/dL) | 1.5 (0.5–5.2) |
| Prothrombin time (%) | 64.0 (18.0–110.0) |
| Child–Pugh score | 8 (5–13) |
| Child–Pugh class (A/B/C) | 7/47/17 |
| ALBI score | − 1.58 (− 3.01 to − 0.45) |
| ALBI grade (1/2a/2b/3) | 1/4/37/29 |
| Ascites (none/mild/moderate or severe) | 35/30/6 |
| Hepatic encephalopathy (absent/mild) | 48/23 |
| Administration of BCAA (no/yes) | 31/40 |
| Administration of diuretics (no/yes) | 23/48 |
| Esophageal varices (absent /present/unknown) | 20/45/6 |
| Alpha-fetoprotein (ng/mL) | 7.0 (1.3–2031.8) |
| HCV RNA (log IU/mL) | 5.7 (3.0–7.4) |
| HCV genotype (1b/2a/2b) | 52/17/2 |
| History of IFN-free DAAs (naïve/experienced) | 70/1 |
| History of HCC treatment (no/yes) | 49/22 |
AST aspartate aminotransferase; ALT alanine aminotransferase; BCAA branched chain amino acid; HCV hepatitis C virus; IFN interferon; DAAs direct-acting antivirals; HCC hepatocellular carcinoma