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Issue: Vol. 551 No. 3 (2025)
Section: Các bài báo
DOI: 10.51298/vmj.v551i3.14767
Date Published: 01/07/2025
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Tô Thị Diễm, P., Nguyễn Thanh, L., & Lê Văn, N. (2025). INVESTIGATION OF FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SEVERITY OF HEPATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY IN CIRRHOTIC PATIENTS AT CAN THO CENTRAL GENERAL HOSPITAL. Vietnam Medical Journal, 551(3). https://doi.org/10.51298/vmj.v551i3.14767

INVESTIGATION OF FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SEVERITY OF HEPATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY IN CIRRHOTIC PATIENTS AT CAN THO CENTRAL GENERAL HOSPITAL

Phương Tô Thị Diễm, Liêm Nguyễn Thanh , Nho Lê Văn

Main Article Content

Abstract

Background: Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a common complication in cirrhotic patients, signaling a poor prognosis and increasing mortality rates. Identifying factors associated with HE severity is essential for early prevention and management, thereby improving patient outcomes. Objectives: To investigate several factors associated with the severity of hepatic encephalopathy in patients with liver cirrhosis. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study with analytical components was conducted on 82 cirrhotic patients treated at Can Tho Central General Hospital from January 2024 to January 2025. Results: Regarding general characteristics, the male-to-female ratio was approximately 1.65, with a mean age of 61.91 ± 14.08 years; the majority (56.1%) were over 60 years old. The most common etiologies of cirrhosis were hepatitis B virus infection (32.9%) and alcohol-related liver disease (22.0%). Most patients were classified as Child-Pugh C (61.0%). Grade II HE accounted for 50.0%, a proportion equivalent to the combined total of grade III and IV HE, with grade III HE making up 36.6%. Assessment of factors related to HE severity showed that gastrointestinal bleeding was significantly associated with an increased likelihood of grade III–IV HE, with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.8 (95% CI: 1.1–7.3), p = 0.034. Furthermore, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was significantly higher in patients with grade III and IV HE compared to those with grade II HE (p < 0.05). No association was found between serum ammonia levels and HE severity. Conclusion: Gastrointestinal bleeding and elevated NLR are associated with increased severity of hepatic encephalopathy. 

Keywords

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE), cirrhosis, associated factors

Article Details

References

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