ALB and esophageal varices: According to the univariate analysis, many characteristics were associated with HCC occurrence (older age, male gender, high LSM, cirrhosis, presence of esophageal varices, APRI/FIB-4/MELD scores, low levels of albumin, cholesterol and platelet count, belonging to group 2–4) but only male gender (HR = 1.93; 95% CI = 1.12–3.31, p = 0.02), cirrhosis (HR = 3.6; CI = 2.42–5.88, p = 0.001), the presence of esophageal varices (HR = 1.76; CI = 1.03–3.01, p = 0.04), and belonging to group 2–4 (HR = 10.95; CI = 1.19–100.51, p = 0.03) were independent predictors of HCC.