Clinical and physiological characteristics of patients with NAFLD in the four stages of hepatic fibrosis.

P-values were calculated using the Mann–Whitney U test. Versus F0: *P<0.05, **P<0.01, ***P<0.001. Versus F1: #P<0.05, ##P<0.01, ###P<0.001. Versus F2: ++P<0.01, +++P<0.001. Fibrosis stage (F): F0 (n = 10), F1 (n = 74), F2 (n = 48), F3 (n = 37); total, N = 169. BMI, body mass index; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; ALT, alanine aminotransferase; GGT, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase; ChE, cholinesterase; UA, uric acid; T-Cho, total cholesterol; TG, triglycerides; FPG, fasting plasma glucose; Plt, platelets; Fe, plasma iron; HA, hyaluronic acid; IV collagen 7S, type IV collagen 7S; P-3-P, type III procollagen N-peptide.