ALB and hepatocellular carcinoma: Patients with albumin levels ≤35 g/L were more likely to have an alcoholic etiology, a higher Child-Pugh class, and MELD score, a greater incidence of HCC (26% vs 14%, P < .001), an increased likelihood of having ascites, experiencing encephalopathy, and exhibited higher levels of bilirubin and lower platelet count; conversely, there were no significant differences observed of sex, age, or creatinine levels between the 2 groups.