Multibipolar radiofrequency vs single needle microwave ablation for the treatment of newly diagnosed hepatocellular carcinoma

Table 3 Predictive factors of local recurrence (n = 436 nodules)

	Univariable analysis		Multivariable analysis		Multivariable analysis (competing risks)
	HR (95%CI)	P value	HR (95%CI)	P value	HR (95%CI)	P value
Age (years)	1.03 (1.002-1.06)	0.037	1.02 (0.99-1.05)	0.192	1.02 (0.98-1.06)	0.15
Sex (male vs female)	0.62 (0.31-1.25)	0.182	-	-	-	-
Child Pugh (B vs A)	1.85 (0.94-3.65)	0.074	1.55 (0.75-3.2)	0.233	0.72 (0.27-1.95)	0.52
Platelet count (for 50.000 additional platelet)	1.09 (0.90-1.33)	0.376	-	-	-	-
AFP (for 100 ng/mL additional)	1.10 (1.08-1.13)	< 0.001	1.05 (0.99-1.11)	0.080	1 (0.94-1.01)	0.48
Tumor size (mm)	1.08 (1.06-1.11)	< 0.001	1.08 (1.05-1.11)	< 0.001	1.07 (1.05-1.1)	0.06
Subcapsular HCC	0.97 (0.60-1.57)	0.900	-	-	-	-
Proximity of HCC to large vessels	1.29 (0.68-2.42)	0.435	1.34 (0.69-2.59)	0.393	1.14 (0.59-2.2)	0.7
Number of HCC nodules	0.88 (0.71-1.08)	0.224	-	-	-	-
Treatment by ultrasound guidance alone	0.40 (0.10-1.59)	0.193	-	-	-	-
Treatment by ultrasound and CT guidance	0.92 (0.22-3.79)	0.908	-	-	-	-
Operator experience (per additional month)	1.00 (0.998-1.002)	0.963	1.00 (0.999-1.002)	0.702	1.00 (0.999-1)	0.9
Thermoablation technique (MWA vs mbp-RFA)	2.41 (1.48-3.90)	< 0.001	2.85 (1.69-4.81)	< 0.001	2.35 (1.3-4.3)	0.005

HR: Hazard ratio; CI: Confidence interval; AFP: Alpha-fetoprotein; HCC: Hepatocellular carcinoma; CT: Computed tomography; MWA: Microwave ablation; mbp-RFA: Multibipolar radiofrequency ablation.