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Attention deficits in minimal hepatic encephalopathy
K Weissenborn1, S Heidenreich, J Ennen
1Department of Neurology, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Germany. weissenborn.karin@mh.hannover.de
Metabolic Brain Disease
|December 1, 2001
Summary
Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (HE) diagnosis can be improved by adding attention tests to the PSE-Test. This enhances the detection of cognitive deficits in patients with liver cirrhosis.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Hepatology
- Psychometrics
Background:
- Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (HE) presents with psychomotor and visuo-spatial deficits.
- Current diagnostic tools for minimal HE lack a gold standard.
- The PSE-Test assesses minimal HE but does not focus on attention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate if adding attention tests improves the diagnostic sensitivity of the PSE-Test for minimal HE.
- To determine if attention deficits are present in cirrhotic patients without overt HE.
Main Methods:
- A battery of attention tests was administered alongside the PSE-Test to cirrhotic patients and healthy controls.
- Patients were matched for age and education.
- Comparison of test results between groups to assess diagnostic sensitivity.
Main Results:
- Patients with abnormal PSE-Test results showed significant deficits in all attention tests compared to controls.
- Patients with normal PSE-Test results had attention test performance similar to controls.
- The PSE-Test results correlate with attention deficits, motor skills, and visuo-spatial abilities.
Conclusions:
- The PSE-Test reflects deficits beyond motor and visuo-spatial skills, including attention.
- Adding specific attention tests to the PSE-Test may enhance the diagnosis of minimal hepatic encephalopathy.
- Further research is warranted to establish a gold standard for minimal HE diagnosis.