Table 2.

Correlations between overt HE episodes and psychometric tests (cross-sectional study part B)

N = 50	Number of hospitalizations for overt HE		Number of episodes of overt HE		Duration from 1st episode to testing
	R	P value	R	P value	R	P value
Number connection-A (seconds)	0.264	0.144	0.218	0.238	0.166	0.373
Number connection-B (seconds)	0.353	0.047	0.354	0.05	0.158	0.396
Digit Symbol Test (raw score)	−0.387	0.02	−0.461	0.009	−0.364	0.04
Block Design Test (raw score)	−0.108	0.631	−0.203	0.378	−0.282	0.292
ICT lures (number)	0.502	0.002	0.591	0.001	0.483	0.007
ICT targets (% correct)	−0.433	0.009	−0.442	0.015	−0.2	0.135

In the 50 patients who were followed prospectively for overt HE development, there was a significant correlation between the number of overt HE episodes, number of overt HE hospitalizations and duration from the first overt HE episode till the testing. A high score on number connection-A/B and ICT lures and a low digit symbol, block design and ICT target number indicate poor psychometric performance. R: correlation coefficient, Overt HE: overt hepatic encephalopathy adequately controlled on treatment, ICT: inhibitory control test, HCV: chronic hepatitis C.