Cirrhosis affects ~630,000 Americans and can cause complications such as hepatic encephalopathy.4
HE can occur in patients with compromised liver function who are unable to adequately filter toxins in the blood.1
OHE is associated with frequent hospitalizations and may cause persistent cognitive defects.2,9
Patients with OHE can become comatose and require urgent medical care and a plan for managing the possibility of future recurrence.1
OHE may be primarily managed by a specialist—often a gastroenterologist or a hepatologist.
Your patients and fellow healthcare professionals need your help to manage OHE.
When it comes to managing OHE, PCPs and specialists need to be on the same team, working together. Communication by itself can be a powerful tool. A text or email or quick call to the office with a little update can go a long way.
—Nancy Reau, MD Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, Rush Medical College Section Chief, Hepatology
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Patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) and cirrhosis are at risk for HE, a condition with high rates of hospitalization and mortality.1-3 You often see a large number of patients with a wide range of health conditions. These touchpoints may be opportunities to help patients living with HE.
The way a patient may present in the exam room may not tell the whole story. Uncovering what may be happening out of sight can help identify patients who may require medical intervention.
Cirrhosis affects ~630,000 Americans and can cause complications such as hepatic encephalopathy.4
Causes and impact of CLD and cirrhosis may be surprising to some physicians.5-7
HE can occur in patients with compromised liver function who are unable to adequately filter toxins in the blood.1
HE is a likely complication for most patients with cirrhosis.1
OHE is associated with frequent hospitalizations and may cause persistent cognitive defects.2,9
OHE readmission and mortality rates are high.2,3
*1-year survival rates have been reported to be between 36% and 42%.3,10
†Data from analysis published in 1999.
If you have patients with CLD or cirrhosis who display the symptoms above, you should suspect HE after ruling out other potential immediate causes.
OHE may be primarily managed by a specialist—often a gastroenterologist or a hepatologist.
You may see patients with HE regularly, which means that you can play a critical role in caring for these patients.
Communication between physicians can help ensure that patients are receiving the attention and care they need and that there is a consistent long-term strategy in place to help patients manage the likelihood of OHE recurrence.