Table 1. Baseline characteristics of the entire cohort at study inclusion.
| Variables | Total cohort (n = 89) |
|---|---|
| Age, median (IQR) | 60 (54; 67) |
| Male gender, n (%) | 51 (57.3) |
| Education in years, median (IQR) | 13 (11; 15) |
| Out-patients, n (%) | 47 (52.8) |
| In a relationship, n (%) | 64 (71.9) |
| Children, n (%) | 69 (77.5) |
| Born outside of Germany, n (%) | 15 (16.9) |
| Unemployed/retired/disabled, n (%) | 50 (56.2) |
| Active smoking¸ n (%) | 28 (31.5) |
| History of falls, n (%) | 21 (23.6) |
| Aetiology of underlying liver disease | |
| Chronic alcohol consumption, n (%) | 48 (53.8) |
| Chronic viral hepatitis, n (%) | 9 (10.1) |
| Autoimmune/Cholestatic liver disease, n (%) | 3 (3.4) |
| NAFLD, n (%) | 16 (18.0) |
| Mixed, n (%) | 13 (14.6) |
| Characteristics of liver cirrhosis | |
| Child-Pugh A/B/C, n (%) | 42 (47), 33 (37), 14 (16) |
| MELD score, median (IQR) | 14 (9; 19) |
| Ascites at study inclusion, n (%) | 42 (47.2) |
| History of ascites, n (%) | 58 (65.2) |
| History of OHE, n (%) | 16 (18.0) |
| Presence of varices, n (%) | 56 (62.9) |
| CHE at study entry*, n (%) | 27 (32.9) |
| TIPSS, n (%) | 4 (4.5) |
| Laboratory values at study inclusion, median (IQR) | |
| Sodium, mmol/l | 138 (135; 140) |
| Creatinine, mg/dl | 0.87 (0.7; 1.15) |
| Total bilirubin, g/dl | 1.8 (0.82; 4.55) |
| Albumin | 31 (25; 36) |
| INR | 1.3 (1.1; 1.6) |
| Leukocytes, /nl | 6.23 (4.54; 8.27) |
| Thrombocytes, /nl | 108 (88; 171) |
| Questionnaires, median (IQR) | |
| HLQ: | |
| • Scale 1 | (2.75; 3.5) |
| • Scale 2 | (2.5; 3.0) |
| • Scale 3 | (2.4; 3.0) |
| • Scale 4 | •(2.6; 3.4) |
| • Scale 5 | (2.2; 3.0) |
| • Scale 6 | (3.2; 4.0) |
| • Scale 7 | (3.0; 3.8) |
| • Scale 8 | (2.8; 4.0) |
| • Scale 9 | 3.6 (3.2; 4.0) |
| HDRS | 8 (5; 13) |
*Tested in 82 patients.
Data are expressed as median and interquartile ranges or as frequencies and percentages.
NAFLD: non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; MELD: model for end-stage liver disease; OHE: overt hepatic encephalopathy; CHE: covert hepatic encephalopathy; TIPPS: transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunt; HLQ: health literacy questionnaire; HDRS: Hamilton Depression Rating Scale.