PREVALENCE OF COVERT HEPATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY IN PATIENTS WITH COMPENSATED LIVER CIRRHOSIS

Introduction and Objectives

Covert hepatic encephalopathy (CHE) is a complication that affects the quality of life and prognosis of cirrhotic patients. It is identified through appropriate neuropsychological tests. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of CHE in patients with compensated liver cirrhosis using the Psychometric Hepatic Encephalopathy Score (PHES) and its association with selected clinical factors.

Materials and Methods

A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Institute of Gastroenterology in Havana, Cuba, between March 2023 and December 2024. Sixty-five patients with defined selection criteria were included. The prevalence of CHE was calculated according to the total PHES, using normality tables for the Cuban population. PHES scores and laboratory parameters were compared, and the association with sex, age, education, and etiology was explored between the groups with and without EHE.

Results

The prevalence of EHE was 32.3% (n=21). Differences were found between groups with and without EHE in the total PHES (p<0.001) and in each of its components. No association was demonstrated between age, sex, educational level, and etiology of cirrhosis with EHE, nor was there statistical significance between ALAT (p=0.68), ASAT (p=0.90), albumin (p=0.65), and platelet count (p=0.63). Age >60 years, male sex, viral etiology, low educational level, and liver function did not influence the diagnosis of EHE.

Conclusions

The PHES is an objective tool that allowed the identification of EHE in the context studied, which is relevant for the early management of compensated cirrhosis.

Conflict of interest: None