Researchers examined encephalopathy (HE), a brain disorder occurring in advanced liver disease patients that causes neurological and psychiatric symptoms, which impact their well-being and health outcomes. They highlighted malnutrition and portosystemic shunts as new contributors. HE can be triggered by various factors alone or in combination, including infections, bleeding, dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and constipation. Addressing and managing these triggers are vital for effective HE treatment, along with non-absorbable disaccharides and antibiotics. Treatment involves non-absorbable disaccharides and antibiotics, while data on other agents like LOLA, PEG, and fecal microbiota modulators are incomplete. Timely identification and management of triggers are crucial, with primary and secondary prophylaxis strategies recommended.
Reference: Bellafante D, Gioia S, Faccioli J, et al. Old and New Precipitants in Hepatic Encephalopathy: A New Look at a Field in Continuous Evolution. J Clin Med. 2023 Feb 2;12(3):1187. doi: 10.3390/jcm12031187. PMID: 36769836; PMCID: PMC9917479.
