Frequency of Precipitating Factors of Hepatic Encephalopathy in Patients with Chronic Liver Disease (CLD)

Aim: To determine the frequency of precipitating factors of hepatic encephalopathy in patients with chronic liver disease. Setting: District Headquarter Hospital Sahiwal and Nishtar Hospital Multan. Duration: March 2013 to February 2014. Study design: Descriptive cross-sectional. Sampling technique: Non-probability purposive sampling. Methods: Fifty patients of hepatic encephalopathy coming to District Headquarter Hospital, Sahiwal and Nishtar Hospital Multan for consultation from March 2013 to February 2014 were registered for this study. The detailed medical history was taken and a specially designed proforma was filled in. Results: Fifty patients of chronic hepatic encephalopathy were registered for this study. Forty patients were male and 10 were female. The age of patients varied from 30-60 years. Mean age of the study cases was 47.45 +/- 5.23 years. Infection was the commonest risk factor noted in 80% of the cases. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis was seen in 30(60%) patients and 10(20%) had UTI. Other factors were dehydration 18(36%), constipation 16(32%) and GI bleed in 12(24%) of the patients. In 28(56%) of the cases two or more risk factors were operating. In 6(12%) no identifiable risk factor was noted. Conclusion: Infection, especially spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, is a commonest risk factor for hepatic encephalopathy, in this study, followed by dehydration, constipation and GI bleed.