Characteristics of the study patients and changes in laboratory data associated with SVR (n = 115).

1HCV genotype was not assessed in 5 patients.
2IL28B polymorphism was not assessed in 18 patients.
3Based on the METAVIR scoring system.
4At the time of the initial liver biopsy, before antiviral therapy.
5At the time of the second liver biopsy, more than 5 years after the determination of SVR. Among 12 patients with F3 fibrosis at the pretreatment initial biopsy, fibrosis grade decreased to F1 in one patient and F2 in two patients at the second biopsy. Among 3 patients with F4 fibrosis at the pretreatment initial biopsy, fibrosis grade decreased to F3 in one patient at the second biopsy. Among 11 patients with F3 fibrosis at the second biopsy, fibrosis grade was F2 at the pretreatment initial biopsy and increased in two patients. Among 5 patients with F4 fibrosis at the second biopsy, fibrosis grade was F2 in two patients and F3 in one patient at the pretreatment initial biopsy.
SVR, sustained virologic response; HCV, hepatitis C virus; APRI, aspartate aminotransferase-platelet ratio index.