- Patients with hemoglobinopathies, chronic hepatitis due to HCV and the presence of fibrosis (defined as Fibroscan® stiffness ≥10 kPa) or a bioptic evaluation of cirrhosis (same ISHAK fibrosis score) determined within 6 months previously. Patients with extrahepatic manifestations of chronic hepatitis C virus infection (cryoglobulinemia with organ damage, B-lymphoproliferative disorders) were also included.