Posttreatment FIB-4 score change predicts hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis C patients: Findings from the Taiwan hepatitis C registry program

Purpose: This study investigated whether Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) score and its change can serve as predictors of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection receiving direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). Methods: This study identified 9679 patients who completed DAA treatment and achieved sustained virologic response (SVR) from the Taiwan Nationwide Real-World HCV Registry Program, and their risk of HCC was analyzed. Results: Multivariable Cox regression analyses identified diabetes mellitus (DM), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level, and FIB-4 score as independent predictors of HCC in both Model 1 (baseline) and Model 2 (SVR). Change in FIB-4 score (△FIB-4) of < −0.9086 from baseline to SVR achievement was a significant predictor of HCC only in Model 2 (SVR). In Model 2 (SVR), DM (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.53, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04–2.26, p = 0.033), FIB-4 score (≥3.25 vs. <3.25; HR: 2.40, 95% CI: 1.63–3.53, p < 0.001), △FIB-4 (greater reduction: <−0.9086 vs. smaller reduction: ≥−0.9086; HR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.25–2.74, p = 0.002), and AFP level (≥20 vs. <20 ng/mL; HR: 16.40, 95% CI: 9.16–29.36, p < 0.001) were significant predictors of HCC. At 3 years, the cumulative HCC incidence was 10.67% in patients with an FIB-4 score of ≥3.25 upon achieving SVR and △FIB-4 of < −0.9086 and 1.72% in those with an FIB-4 score of <3.25 upon achieving SVR and △FIB-4 of ≥ −0.9086. Conclusion: Posttreatment FIB-4 score and its change from baseline can be used to stratify HCC risk in patients with CHC receiving DAAs.