Development of overt hepatic encephalopathy increases mortality in patients with cirrhosis: a multicenter retrospective cohort study.

Background: Overt hepatic encephalopathy (OHE) is a severe complication of liver cirrhosis. However, data on its incidence, prognostic significance, and associated risk factors in patients without OHE at baseline remain limited.

Methods: A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted by reviewing records of hospitalized patients with cirrhosis at three institutions in Japan. OHE was defined as West Haven grade ≥ 2 and its incidence during the follow-up was estimated using the cumulative incidence function. Prognostic factors were assessed using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, with OHE and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development treated as time-dependent covariates. Independent predictors for OHE development were analyzed using fine-gray proportional hazards regression analysis.

Results: Among 652 patients, the median age was 67 years, and 53% were male. The median model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score was 9. During a median follow-up period of 3.2 years, 136 patients (21%) developed OHE and 183 patients (28%) died. The cumulative incidence of OHE at 1, 3, and 5 years was 8%, 16%, and 20%, respectively. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that OHE development (hazard ratio [HR], 3.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.99-4.75) was a significant independent prognostic factor, regardless of age, sex, liver functional reserve, and HCC development. Furthermore, multivariable analysis identified lower body mass index, higher MELD score, lower albumin levels, and higher ammonia levels as independent predictors for OHE development.

Conclusions: OHE development is common and increases mortality among patients with cirrhosis. Therefore, close monitoring of high-risk populations is warranted for early management of OHE.