Study shows impact of hepatic encephalopathy on liver disease patients

New data presented today at the International Liver Congress show the impact of hepatic encephalopathy on liver disease patients and healthcare systems.

Liver disease patients who develop HE have almost double the risk of dying compared with similar liver disease patients without HE over the same time period.

Liver disease patients with HE are admitted to hospital three times more often for illnesses directly related to their liver disease, compared with liver disease patients without HE (admission ratio of 3.588:1 for HE patients vs. control group) and are admitted to hospital one and a half times more often for unrelated illnesses (admission ratio of 1.488:1 for HE patients vs. control group). Liver disease patients with HE will consult primary care more often following initial diagnosis and stay in hospital longer than those without HE, collectively representing a substantial increased use of healthcare resources.

There is no cure for HE other than liver transplant. However, XIFAXAN^® 550 (rifaximin-α) significantly reduces the risk of further HE episodes. Treatment with XIFAXAN^® 550 versus standard care (lactulose) offers a cost-effective treatment option for reduction of recurrence of overt HE over a number of different time periods and plausible scenarios, e.g. incremental cost-effectiveness ratios ranged from £13,919 to £21,425 for each year of perfect health gained through treatment with XIFAXAN^® 550 (QALY) over a five year period.