FACTORS PRECIPITATING HEPATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY IN CIRRHOSIS LIVER

We surveyed 50 patients admitted with clinical diagnosis of hepatic encephalopathy, for one or more factors responsible for encephalopathy. The commonest precipitating factors were, hypokalaemia 68%, Haematemesis 56%, constipation 52%, high protein intake 52%, hyponatremia 28%, diarrhoea 22%, infections including spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and septicaemia 28%, Benzodiazepine intake 2% surgical procedure 2%. Oesophageal varices were present in 60%. Hypokalaemia and Electrolytes imbalance must be considered as an important precipitating factor in causation of encephalopathy in cirrhotics.