2.4 | Main outcomes
We investigated the outcomes of all-cause mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), HCC, decompensated cirrhosis, hepatic failure, and hypoglycemia. Death was defined as being discharged from the hospital with a death certificate (discharge date was defined as the death date) or termination of NHI coverage after being discharged from hospital due to a critical illness and no further healthcare use for more than 1 year (the end of NHI coverage was defined as the death date). We calculated the incidence rate of MACE, including ischemic heart disease (410-414), stroke (430-437), and heart failure (428); HCC (155.x); decompensated cirrhosis (the composite of esophageal varices with bleeding, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, and jaundice); variceal bleeding; ascites; hepatic encephalopathy; and hepatic failure (570, 572.2, 572.4, and 572.8), to evaluate liver-related complications. We also investigated the incidence of emergency department visited or admitted hypoglycemia (251.0x, 251.1x, or 251.2x) to evaluate the probable complications of treatments.