Changing Epidemiology of Cirrhosis and Hepatic Encephalopathy
The ever-changing etiology of chronic liver disease and demographic composition of those with it have important implications for the development of hepatic encephalopathy, and the need for innovative treatments and management techniques has become a focal point for researchers. Hepatic encephalopathy occurs in as many as 40% of patients with cirrhosis and is most common among those with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Key clinical factors that affect hepatic encephalopathy’s emergence are disease etiology and extrahepatic comorbidities, and factors that should be considered include transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts, hepatitis C, and more.
Reference: Louissaint J, Deutsch-Link S, Tapper EB. Changing Epidemiology of Cirrhosis and Hepatic Encephalopathy. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2022 Aug;20(8S):S1-S8. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2022.04.036. PMID: 35940729; PMCID: PMC9531320.
