Characteristics of patients with HCC and controls
| n | Patients with HCC | n | Controls | p Value | |
| Age (y) (mean (SD) [range]) | 48 | 66.1 (8.5) [46–83] | 56 | 59.1 (10.5) [32–80] | 0.0004 |
| Sex ratio (M/F) | 48 | 40/8 | 56 | 35/21 | 0.018 |
| Chronic alcoholism (No (%)) | 48 | 11 (22.9) | 56 | 24 (42.8) | 0.03 |
| Duration of illness (y) (median (range)) | 20 | 14.5 (5.5–37) | 29 | 16 (10–35) | NS |
| Child-Pugh class (No (%)) | 48 | A 26 (54.2) | 56 | A 38 (67.9) | NS |
| B 11 (22.9) | B 12 (21.4) | ||||
| C 11 (22.9) | C 6 (10.7) | ||||
| HCV RNA+ (No (%)) | 35 | 32 (91.5) | 54 | 52 (96.3) | NS |
| Large oesophagal varices (No (%)) | 37 | 21 (56.7) | 50 | 24 (48) | NS |
| Interferon treatment (No (%)) | 48 | 8 (16.7) | 56 | 16 (28.6) | NS |