Covariates
HCV) infection, hepatitis C, HCC, Comorbidity
HEPATITIS B, DISORDER, VIRUS, LIVER CIRRHOSIS, INFECTION, HEPATITIS C, DISEASES
Study covariates were included based on their relevance to antidepressant use and HCC prognosis and included demographic characteristics, comorbidities, and treatments for HCC.Comorbidities including hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, liver cirrhosis, alcohol use disorder, and other diseases were defined as being present if data on diagnostic codes corresponding to these comorbidities were assigned to the patient for at least 3 outpatient visits or at least 1 hospital admission before HCC diagnosis. We used the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) to determine general health conditions and the overall burden of comorbidities.Treatments for HCC after HCC diagnosis were considered as covariates in the analysis of antidepressant use after HCC diagnosis.