Table 3.
Psychometric test results of patients tested before and after development of their first episode of overt HE
| Patients tested before and after development of the first episode of overt HE (n=15) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-overt HE | Post-overt HE 1st episode | Paired t-test p values (before and after the episode) | |
| MELD score (median) | 9 | 10 | 0.10 |
| Number connection test-A (seconds) | 40 ± 12 | 48 ± 35 | 0.33 |
| Number connection test-B (seconds) | 98 ± 22 | 142 ± 98 | 0.11 |
| Digit Symbol Test (raw score) | 51 ± 14 | 47 ± 15 | 0.21 |
| Block Design Test (raw score) | 29 ± 13 | 33 ± 20 | 0.39 |
| ICT targets (% correct) | 93 ± 9 | 93 ± 11 | 0.96 |
| ICT lures (number responded to) | 12 ± 8 | 18 ± 10 | 0.03 |
| ICT lures (1st half: runs I–III) | 8 ± 5 | 9 ± 5 | 0.12 |
| ICT lures (2nd half: runs IV–VI) | 4 ± 4* | 8 ± 5 | 0.012 |
| ΔL1–2 (lures in the 1st half minus the 2nd half) | 3.1 | 0.3 | 0.01 |
*
p=0.00001 in the 1st half compared to the 2nd half indicating successful learning.
There was a significant worsening of ICT lures after development of overt HE and the learning effect on the ICT which was present before overt HE disappeared. 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. MELD: model for end-stage liver disease score, Overt HE: overt hepatic encephalopathy adequately controlled on treatment, ICT: inhibitory control test.