Chinese Consensus on Clinical Diagnosis and Management of Covert Hepatic Encephalopathy

Covert hepatic encephalopathy (CHE) is one of the important entities of hepatic encephalopathy (HE). In contrast to those with overt hepatic encephalopathy (OHE), patients with CHE have no readily identifiable clinical symptoms and signs, such as disorientation and asterixis, but present with neurocognitive abnormalities detected by neuropsychological and/or neurophysiological tests. Some patients may experience mild cognitive impairment, euphoria, or anxiety, and decreased attention and calculation abilities. CHE is not only prone to OHE development, but also has harmful impacts on fitness to drive and fine operation ability, impairs health-related quality of life, and increases the risk of accidental injury, thereby resulting in worse financial status and a heavy burden to both the family and society as well as reducing the survival of cirrhotic patients. To further improve the understanding of CHE and standardize its clinical diagnosis and management, the Chinese Society of Gastroenterology, Chinese Medical Association organized experts to establish a consensus based on the updated relevant guidelines, expert consensus, research advance in the diagnosis and management of the disease, and clinical practice in China. This consensus contains 19 statements on the definition, epidemiology, etiology, precipitating factors, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and chronic disease management of CHE. This consensus may provide the best available evidence to guide clinical practice in the diagnosis and management of patients with CHE.