*2.3. Blood Collection*

Blood samples were collected by venepuncture into evacuated ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA-KE) S-Monovette tubes (Sarstedt AG & Co, Nümbrecht, Germany) on the day of FibroScan or ARFI. All samples were subjected to haematological and biochemical analyses. Plasma was created within a maximum timespan of 2 h after collection, using a two-step centrifugation protocol of 1500 g for 10 min (4 ◦C), followed by 2000 g for 3 min (4 ◦C). Plasma was frozen at −80 ◦C until further use.
