Statistical analysis:
Data were analyzed using SPSS software package version 26 (IBM, New York, USA). According to the type of distribution estimated by one-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, parametric or non-parametric analyses were performed. Results are reported as mean ± SD if normally distributed or median (Q1-Q3) otherwise. To compare pre- and post-treatment LS and CAP values, Wilcoxon signed-rank test was applied. Univariate analysis was performed by the Chi-square test ± the Fisher’s exact test, the independent-samples T test, or the Mann-Whitney U test, as appropriate. A multiple regression analysis was used to predict the association between LS changes as a dependent variable and gender, age, body mass index (BMI), HCV viral load and genotype, baseline LS value, and history of receiving prior treatment as independent variables. A p-value below 0.05 was considered statistically significant.