PORTO-SYSTEMIC ENCEPHALOPATHY (PSE);

STUDY TO EVALUATE COMMON PRECIPITATING FACTORS IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC LIVER DISEASE

Abstract

Background: Porto-systemic encephalopathy (PSE) is a common medical emergency at our settings due to increased
prevalence of chronic liver disease. Objective: To determine frequency of common precipitating factors in patients having porto-systemic
encephalopathy (PSE) at tertiary care settings in Hyderabad. Study design: Descriptive case series study. Setting: Department of Medicine
Isra University Hospital Hyderabad. Period: 1st April 2011 to 31st December 2011. Methods: A total 100 patients manifesting clinical features
of PSE were included in this study by non-probability convenience sampling. The data was evaluated in statistical program SPSS version 16.
Results: As 100 patients with PSE were enrolled in the current study, out of these 96 patients have precipitating factors involved while only 4
patients have no such factors. Out of these 96 patients, 36 patients have only single risk factor found while in 64 cases multiple factors were
implicated. Constipation, infections (except SBP) and renal impairment were noted in 36%, 24% and 22% respectively. Conclusions:
Constipation, infections (except SBP) and renal impairment were the most common precipitating factors of porto-systemic encephalopathy in
our study. Hence priority should be given to them in terms of hospital funds, medicines and human efforts.