Liver-Unrelated Comorbid Conditions Do Not Affect Cognitive Performance or Hepatic Encephalopathy Progression in Cirrhosis.

Acharya, Chathur; Nadhem, Omar; Shaw, Jawaid; Hassouneh, Ramzi; Fagan, Andrew; McGeorge, Sara; Sterling, Richard K; Puri, Puneet et al. · Am J Gastroenterol · 2021

prospective_cohort · Level II

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Abstract

We aimed to determine the effect of comorbidities on covert hepatic encephalopathy (CHE) diagnosis and overt hepatic encephalopathy (OHE) development. Cirrhotic outpatients underwent CHE testing and 2-year follow-up. Cox regression was performed for time to OHE. In total, 700 patients (60 years, 84% men, model for end-stage liver disease 11) and 33% prior OHE underwent testing and follow-up. Major comorbidities were hypertension (54%), diabetes (35%), and depression (29%). Common medications were proton pump inhibitor (49%), beta-blockers (32%), and opioids (21%). Approximately 90 (40%) prior-OHE patients developed recurrence 93 (30,206) days post-testing predicted only by liverrelated variables. Demographics, cirrhosis characteristics, and opioid use, but not other comorbid conditions, were associated with CHE diagnosis and OHE progression.

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