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. 2017 Nov;13(11):659–665.

Table 2.

Concomitant Medical Conditions That Can Affect Patients With Overt Hepatic Encephalopathy

  • Alcohol withdrawal

  • Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome

  • Use of benzodiazepines and opioids

  • Electrolyte and acid-base disturbances’a

  • Hypoglycemia, diabetic ketoacidosis, and/or hyperosmolar state

  • Hypothyroidism, Addison disease, and/or hypopituitarism

  • Subdural hematoma and/or cerebrovascular accidents

  • Nonconvulsive seizures

  • Meningitis and/or encephalitis

  • Brain neoplasms and/or normal pressure hydrocephalus

  • Dementia

  • Hypercapnia due to obstructive sleep apnea or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

  • Uremic encephalopathyb

a

Hyponatremia can cause altered mental status and precipitate hepatic encephalopathy.

b

Uremic encephalopathy and hepatorenal syndrome can coexist with hepatic encephalopathy.