AIM: To investigate the prevalence of minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) and to assess corresponding health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in hospitalized cirrhotic patients in China. METHODS: This multi-center cross-sectional study included 16 teaching hospitals, which were members of "Hepatobiliary Cooperation Group, Society of Gastroenterology, Chinese Medical Association", from different areas of China carried out between June and October in 2011. All the eligible hospitalized cirrhotic patients (n = 538) were required to complete triplicate number connection tests combined with one digit symbol test for diagnosing MHE. Patients' clinical examination data were complemented by a modified questionnaire assessing HRQoL. Written informed consent was obtained from each patient. RESULTS: Male was predominant (68.6%) in 519 patients who met the criteria of the study, with a mean age of 49.17 +/- 11.02 years. The most common cause of liver cirrhosis was chronic hepatitis B (55.9%). The prevalence of MHE was 39.9% and varied by Child-Pugh-Classification score (CPC-A: 24.8%, CPC-B: 39.4% and CPC-C: 56.1%, P < 0.01). MHE (P < 0.01) and higher CPC scores (P < 0.01) were associated with a high HRQoL scores (reflecting poorer quality of life). The prevalence of MHE was proportionate to CPC (P = 0.01) and high quality of life scores (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Hospitalized cirrhotic patients have a high prevalence of MHE that is proportionate to the degree of liver function and HRQoL impairment. (C) 2013 Baishideng. All rights reserved.
[1]Fudan Univ, Ctr Clin Epidemiol & Evidence Based Med, Dept Gastroenterol & Hepatol, Zhongshan Hosp, Shanghai 200032, Peoples R China.
[2]Jilin Univ, Hosp 1, Dept Digest Dis, Changchun 130021, Peoples R China.
[3]Tianjin Infect Dis Hosp, Dept Hepatol, Tianjin 300192, Peoples R China.
[4]Zhejiang Prov Hosp Tradit Chinese Med, Dept Digest Dis, Hangzhou 310006, Zhejiang, Peoples R China.
[5]Chinese Peoples Liberat Army Gen Hosp, Hosp 301, Dept Digest Dis, Beijing 100853, Peoples R China.
[6]Jilin Univ, China Japan Union Hosp, Dept Digest Dis, Changchun 130031, Jilin, Peoples R China.
[7]Guangxi Med Univ, Affiliated Hosp 1, Dept Digest Dis, Nanning 530021, Guangxi Zhuang, Peoples R China.
[8]Kunming Med Univ, Dept Hepatol, Affiliated Hosp 2, Kunming 650101, Yunnan Province, Peoples R China.
[9]Zhengzhou Univ, Affiliated Hosp 1, Dept Digest Dis, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan, Peoples R China.
[10]Sichuan Univ, Dept Digest Dis, West China Hosp, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Provinc, Peoples R China.
[11]Anhui Med Univ, Dept Digest Dis, Affiliated Hosp 1, Hefei 230022, Anhui, Peoples R China.
[12]Peoples Hosp Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Reg, Dept Digest Dis, Nanning 530021, Guangxi Zhuang, Peoples R China.
[13]Fourth Mil Med Univ, Xijing Hosp, Dept Digest Dis, Xian 230022, Peoples R China.
[14]Nanjing Univ, Sch Med, Dept Digest Dis, Nanjing Drum Tower Hosp, Nanjing 210008, Jiangsu, Peoples R China.
[15]Huazhong Univ Sci & Technol, Tongji Med Coll, Tongji Hosp, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, Peoples R China.
[16]Huazhong Univ Sci & Technol, Dept Gastroenterol, Union Hosp, Tongji Med Coll, Wuhan 430022, Hunan, Peoples R China.
[17]Peking Univ, Peoples Hosp, Dept Digest Dis, Beijing 100044, Peoples R China.
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