Table 1.

Characteristics of included studies

Authors	Country	Rifaximin (n)	Control (n)	Rifaximin dose(mg/d)	Comparative agent	Duration of treatment	Outcomes
Bucci et al[35]	Italy	30	28	1200	Lactulose 45 mL/d	15 d	Mental status, asterixis, cancellation test, reitan test, EEG, serum ammonia, degree and severity of HE
Di Piazza et al[33]	Italy	8	6	1200	Neomycin 4500 mg/d	21 d	Bradylalia, flapping tremor, performance, visual evoked potentials and the trial making test
Fera et al[37]	Italy	20	20	1200	Lactulose 120 mL/d	90 d	Mental status, asterixis, cancellation test, reitan test, EEG, PSE severity
Festi et al[17]	Italy	20	15	1200	Neomycin 3000 mg/d	21 d	Asterixis, EEG, blood ammonia
Festi et al[17]	Italy	9	12	1200	Lactulose 60 mL/d	21 d	Asterixis, EEG, blood ammonia
Loguercio et al[39]	Italy	14	13	1200	Lactulose 90 mL/d	3 mo	Mental status, asterixis, NCT, blood ammonia
Mas et al[36]	Spain	50	53	1200	Lactitol 60 g/d	5-10 d	HE grade, mental status, asterixis, NCT, EEG, PSE index, blood ammonia
Massa et al[18]	Italy	20	20	1200	Lactulose 90 mL/d	15 d	Mental status, asterixis, cancellation test, EEG, trail making test, PSE index, blood ammonia
Miglio et al[38]	Italy	25	24	1200	Neomycin 3000 mg/d	6 mo	HE grade, blood ammonia, neuropsychiatric signs
Paik et al[21]	South Korea	32	22	1200	Lactulose 90 mL/d	7 d	Mental status, flapping tremors, NCT, blood ammonia, HE index
Parini et al[34]	Italy	15	15	1200	Paromomycin 1500 mg/d	10 d	Blood ammonia, state of consciousness, behavior, intellectual functions, neurologic symptoms
Pedretti et al[25]	Italy	15	15	1200	Neomycin 3000 mg/d	21 d	PSE index, blood ammonia, EEG, NCT, asterixis, trail making test, mental status
Song et al[32]	South Korea	39	25	1200	Lactulose 90 mL/d	7 d	Blood ammonia, mental status, flapping tremors, NCT, HE index

EEG: Electroencephalogram; HE: Hepatic encephalopathy; PSE: Portosystemic encephalopathy; NCT: Number connection test.