Significance of pretreatment alpha‐fetoprotein in patients with compensated severe fibrosis after hepatitis C viral eradication

Background We aimed to investigate the factors associated with improvement of liver functional reserve after sustained virological response using interferon‐free, direct‐acting antiviral combination treatment in patients with compensated, severe fibrosis. Methods Between September 2014 and April 2020, 492 patients received direct‐acting antiviral combination treatment in our hospital. Among them, 173 patients who had severe fibrosis based on a fibrosis‐4 index ≥3.25, showed sustained virological response after treatment. We investigated the dynamic change in albumin‐bilirubin score and the baseline factors associated with its improvement, 48 weeks after treatment. Results The baseline significant factors associated with albumin‐bilirubin ≦ −0.5 were lower albumin (HR: 15.625, 95% CI: 4.273–58.824, P