Table 2 Clinical data summary of all included studies

Topic 1

25 studies (9691 treated vs. 6010 control)

3 RCTs

8 prospective cohort studies

14 retrospective cohort studies

15 Western population-based studies

10 Asian population-based studies

37 to 61 years (median)

32 months to 10 years (mean)

IFN-based regimens with or without RBV, except 4 studies with a PegIFN-based regimen

10 studies exclusively assessing LC patients)

Topic 2

17 studies (9868 treated vs. 4700 controls)

1 RCT

5 prospective cohort studies

11 retrospective cohort studies

8 Western population-based studies

9 Asian population-based studies

37 to 61 years (median)

55 months to 11.5 years (median)

IFN-based regimen with or without RBV, except 3 studies with a PegIFN-based regimen

3 studies exclusively assessing LC patients

Topic 3

13 studies (8671 treated vs. 2831 controls)

5 prospective cohort studies

8 retrospective cohort studies

5 Western population-based studies

8 Asian population-based studies

37 to 61 years (median)

55 months to 11.5 years (median)

IFN-based regimen with or without RBV, except 2 studies with a PegIFN-based regimen

4 studies exclusively assessing LC patients

Topic 4

35 studies (14756 patients with SVR vs. 12741 patients with no SVR)

1 RCT

8 prospective cohort studies

26 retrospective cohort studies

17 Western population-based studies

17 Asian population-based studies

1 Saudi Arabia and Egypt population-based study

37 to 64 years (median)

2.1 (median) to 10 years (mean)

20 studies with PegIFN-based regimen

15 studies with IFN-based regimen

9 studies exclusively assessing LC patients

Topic 5

22 studies (12440 patients with SVR vs. 18980 patients with no SVR)

4 prospective cohort studies

18 retrospective cohort studies

12 Western population-based studies

9 Asian population-based studies

1 Saudi Arabia and Egypt population-based study

41.8 to 64 years (mean)

2.1 to 11.5 years (median)

11 studies with PegIFN-based regimen

11 studies with IFN-based regimen

3 studies exclusively assessing LC patients

Topic 6

23 studies (5148 patients with SVR vs. 10356 patients with no SVR)

7 prospective cohort studies

16 retrospective cohort studies

14 Western population-based studies

9 Asian population-based studies

41.8 to 64 (mean)

2.1 to 11.5 years (median)

12 studies with PegIFN-based regimen

11 studies with IFN-based regimen

6 studies exclusively assessing LC patients