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Alcoholic Liver Disease Among Patients with Wernicke Encephalopathy: A Multicenter Observational Study
Ignacio Novo-Veleiro1, Javier Herrera-Flores2, Beatriz Rosón-Hernández3
1Department of Internal Medicine, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
Drug and Alcohol Dependence
|December 5, 2021
Summary
Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) is frequently associated with alcoholic liver disease (ALD) in patients with alcohol use disorders (AUDs). This association may lead to different clinical presentations and a poorer prognosis for WE patients with ALD.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Hepatology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Alcohol consumption is a primary risk factor for Wernicke encephalopathy (WE).
- Limited data exist on the association between WE and alcoholic liver disease (ALD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of ALD in patients diagnosed with WE and alcohol use disorders (AUDs).
- To compare the clinical characteristics and outcomes of WE patients with and without ALD.
Main Methods:
- An observational study was conducted across 21 centers using a nationwide registry.
- Data included demographic, clinical, and outcome variables, with WE diagnosed using Caine criteria.
Main Results:
- Of 434 patients, 37.3% had ALD. Patients with ALD showed higher rates of tremor, flapping, and hallucinations.
- Mortality was higher in the ALD group (7.4% vs 3.7%). Anemia, low consciousness, and prior cancer diagnosis were linked to mortality in ALD patients.
- Complete recovery was less frequent in patients with ALD (17.8% vs 27.8%).
Conclusions:
- The co-occurrence of WE and ALD in patients with AUDs is common.
- ALD may influence the clinical presentation and prognosis of WE, suggesting poorer outcomes compared to WE patients without ALD.
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