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Although overall mortality from cirrhosis has declined, hepatic encephalopathy (HE) continues to be a common complication in this population. To determine if HE is an independent predictor of mortality in patients with cirrhosis, researchers conducted an industry-supported, multicenter prospective cohort study of patients with cirrhosis hospitalized for non-elective reasons. Data collected included grade of HE (based on West Haven criteria) and extra-hepatic organ failures, such as respiratory, renal, and circulatory failures.
Of 1560 patients included in the analysis, 516 had HE during hospitalization (maximum grade reached was 1 or 2 in 371 patients and 3 or 4 [severe] in 145). Mortality rates were similar between patients with HE grades 1…