The why and wherefore of hepatic encephalopathy.
File(s)
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Hepatic encephalopathy is a common neuropsychiatric abnormality, which complicates the course of patients with liver disease. It was probably first described by Hippocrates over 2000 years ago, who said that "those whose madness arises from phlegm are quiet and neither shout nor make a disturbance, while those whose madness arises from bile shout, play tricks and will not keep still, but are always up to some mischief ". He was presumably describing the differences between patients with pneumonia and acute liver failure. Despite the fact that the syndrome was probably first recognized thousands of years ago, the exact pathogenesis still remains unclear. Furthermore, a precise definition of the syndrome is lacking, as are definitive methods of diagnosing this condition. It is important as both patients with cirrhosis and the general population with whom they interact may be affected as a consequence. At a minimum, the individual may be affected by impaired quality of life, impaired ability to work, and slowed reaction times, which are relevant to the population at large if affected individuals operate heavy machinery or drive a car. Pathogenic mechanisms, diagnostic tools, and treatment options are discussed.
Date Issued
2015-12-16
Date Acceptance
2015-08-15
Citation
International Journal of General Medicine, 2015, 8, pp.381-390
ISSN
1178-7074
Publisher
Dove Medical Press
Start Page
381
End Page
390
Journal / Book Title
International Journal of General Medicine
Volume
8
Copyright Statement
© 2015 Grover et al. This work is published by Dove Medical Press Limited, and licensed under Creative Commons Attribution – Non Commercial (unported, v3.0)
License. The full terms of the License are available at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further
permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. Permissions beyond the scope of the License are administered by Dove Medical Press Limited. Information on
how to request permission may be found at: http://www.dovepress.com/permissions.php
License. The full terms of the License are available at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further
permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. Permissions beyond the scope of the License are administered by Dove Medical Press Limited. Information on
how to request permission may be found at: http://www.dovepress.com/permissions.php
Sponsor
Imperial College Trust
Imperial College Healthcare Charity
University of London
National Institutes of Health
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust- BRC Funding
Merz Pharmaceuticals Gmbh
Identifier
PII: ijgm-8-381
Grant Number
PC2929 01/06/2002
None given
DMAGA_P04837
5R01AA020203-02
RDA01 79560
N/A
Subjects
ammonia
cirrhosis
hepatic encephalopathy
lactulose
pathology
rifaximin
treatment
Publication Status
Published