The baseline values of the general characteristics were compared between the propranolol and control groups; differences in the age, sex, presence or absence of alcoholism, ascites, serum total bilirubin, serum albumin, prothrombin time, serum potassium concentration, serum calcium concentration, Child–Pugh score for liver function, and QTc interval were not statistically significant (all p-values > 0.05). Here, F2 is linked to alcohol dependence.