F2 and Ascites: Table 1 shows the baseline characteristics and laboratory variables for both the unmatched and matched cohorts. Before PSM, patients in the probiotics group had higher total bilirubin, platelet levels, and longer prothrombin time than those in the non-probiotics group (all P < 0.05). In the probiotic group, patients had a significant percentage of ascites and HE. Moreover, probiotic users had higher MELD and CTP scores than nonusers (P < 0.001).