Normalisation of the Psychometric Encephalopathy Score Within the Cameroonian Population

Overview

Journal BMC Gastroenterol

Publisher Biomed Central

Specialty Gastroenterology

Date 2021 Jul 12

PMID 34247589

Citations 2

Authors

Larissa Pessidjo Djomatcho

Mathurin Pierre Kowo

Antonin Ndjitoyap Ndam

Sylvain Raoul Simeni Njonnou

Gabin Ulrich Kenfack

Firmin Ankouane Andoulo

Servais Fiacre Eloumou Bagnaka

Winnie Tatiana Bekolo

Agnes Malongue

Isabelle Dang Babagna

Magloire Biwole Sida

Henry Luma

Oudou Njoya

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) is the presence of neuropsychological abnormalities detectable by psychometric tests. Psychometric Hepatic Encephalopathy Score (PHES) is a gold standard test for the early diagnosis of MHE in cirrhotic patients. The aim of this study was to standardize the PHES in a healthy Cameroonian population and to evaluate the prevalence of MHE among cirrhotic patients.

Methods: This was a prospective, multicentric study from 1 December 2018 to 31 July 2019 in two groups: healthy volunteers and cirrhotic patients without clinical signs of hepatic encephalopathy. The results of the number connection test-A, number connection test-B, serial dotting test, line tracing test were expressed in seconds and those of the digit symbol test in points.

Results: A total of 102 healthy volunteers (54 men, 48 women) and 50 cirrhotic patients (29 men, 31 women) were included. The mean age was 38.1 ± 12.55 years in healthy volunteers and 49.3 ± 15.6 years in cirrhotic patients. The mean years of education level was 11.63 ± 4.20 years in healthy volunteers and 9.62 ± 3.9 years in cirrhotic patients. The PHES of the healthy volunteer group was - 0.08 ± 1.28 and the cut-off between normal and pathological values was set at - 3 points. PHES of the cirrhotic patients was - 7.66 ± 5.62 points and significantly lower than that of volunteers (p < 0.001). Prevalence of MHE was 74% among cirrhotic patients. Age and education level were associated with MHE.

Conclusion: PHES cut-off value in Cameroonians is - 3, with MHE prevalence of 74% among cirrhotic patients.

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