The Viral hepatitis cohort (Supplemental Table 1, http://links.lww.com/HC9/A511) showed an inverse association for albumin at all time points (HR = 0.37, HR = 0.44, and HR = 0.48, respectively, p < 0.05) in predicting HCC risk, and AFP showed a significant risk only at the last follow-up (p < 0.001). Here, ALB is linked to viral hepatitis.