Table 1 Demographic, clinical, and autoantibody features of the study population (n=315)
Characteristic | Frequency (N)* |
|---|---|
Demographics | Â |
 Median age, yrs | 51 (45–54) |
 Male gender | 61% (193) |
HCV genotype | Â |
 1 | 76% (239) |
 2 and 3 | 18% (58) |
 Other/unknown | 6% (18) |
Mode of HCV infection | Â |
 Injection drug use | 45% (141) |
 Blood transfusion | 19% (59) |
Prior HCV treatment | 4% (14) |
 Interferon monotherapy | 21% (3/14) |
 Interferon and ribavirin | 79% (11/14) |
Biochemical data †|  |
 ALT, IU/L | 64 (42–110) |
 Platelets, x109/L | 200 (163–243) |
Histologic characteristics | Â |
 A2-3 necroinflammation | 72% (226) |
 F2-4 fibrosis | 66% (208) |
 Cirrhosis (F4) | 9% (27) |
Autoantibodies | Â |
 RR positive | 5% (15) |
 ANA positive | 89% (281) |
 Anti-mitochondrial antibody positive | 2% (5) |