Risk factors for hepatic encephalopathy in patients with liver cirrhosis: a retrospective study

Abstract

Objective To explore the risk factors associated with hepatic encephalopathy in patients with cirrhosis. Methods A total of 188 cirrhotic patients diagnosed with hepatic encephalopathy admitted in our hospital during June 2016 and June 2018 were enrolled and assigned into case group, another 188 cirrhotic patients without hepatic encephalopathy were subjected at a ratio of 1:1 and assigned into the control group. The risk factors for hepatic encephalopathy were analyzed based on the clinical data of the 2 groups of patients. Results Univariate analysis found that there were significant differences among cause of disease, history of hepatic encephalopathy, liver failure, high protein diet, peritonitis, sepsis, alkalosis, hypochloremia, hyponatremia, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, international normalized ratio, and model for end stage liver disease (MELD) score (P < 0.05). And multivariate analysis, alkalosis indicated that history of hepatic encephalopathy, high protein diet, alkalosis, and MELD score were independent risk factors for the hepatic encephalopathy, but prealbumin was a protective factor (P < 0.05). Conclusion Serious liver damage, history of hepatic encephalopathy, high protein diet, and alkalosis can increase the risk of hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhotic patients, and they should be evaluated and managed timely.

Keywords

• cirrhosis
• hepatic encephalopathy
• risk factor