Baseline patient characteristics.

Abbreviations: ALT: alanine aminotransferase, AST: aspartate aminotransferase, gGT: gamma-glutamyl-transferase, AP: alkaline phosphatase, LDH: lactate dehydrogenase, CRP: c-reactive protein, INR: international normalized ratio, MELD: model of end-liver disease, HCC: hepatocellular carcinoma. Missing data: LDH levels were missing in 47 patients, Total serum protein levels were missing in 52 patients, Albumin levels were missing in 2 patients, CRP levels were missing in 4 patients, Child score was missing in 3 patients. Baseline patient characteristics.