Normalisation of the psychometric encephalopathy score within the Cameroonian population

BMC Gastroenterology

Isabelle Dang Babagna¹  Agnès Malongue²  Antonin Ndjitoyap Ndam³  Firmin Ankouane Andoulo³  Oudou Njoya³  Gabin Ulrich Kenfack³  Henry Luma³  Magloire Biwolé Sida³  Mathurin Pierre Kowo³  Larissa Pessidjo Djomatcho³  Servais Fiacre Eloumou Bagnaka⁴  Winnie Tatiana Bekolo⁴  Sylvain Raoul Simeni Njonnou⁵ 

[1] Cathedral Medical Centre Yaounde;Douala General Hospital;Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I;Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala;Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Dschang;

关键词: Cirrhosis;    Minimal hepatic encephalopathy;    Psychometric tests;    Sub-Saharan Africa;    Cameroon;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12876-021-01858-7

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Abstract Background Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) is the presence of neuropsychological abnormalities detectable by psychometric tests. Psychometric Hepatic Encephalopathy Score (PHES) is a gold standard test for the early diagnosis of MHE in cirrhotic patients. The aim of this study was to standardize the PHES in a healthy Cameroonian population and to evaluate the prevalence of MHE among cirrhotic patients. Methods This was a prospective, multicentric study from 1 December 2018 to 31 July 2019 in two groups: healthy volunteers and cirrhotic patients without clinical signs of hepatic encephalopathy. The results of the number connection test-A, number connection test-B, serial dotting test, line tracing test were expressed in seconds and those of the digit symbol test in points. Results A total of 102 healthy volunteers (54 men, 48 women) and 50 cirrhotic patients (29 men, 31 women) were included. The mean age was 38.1 ± 12.55 years in healthy volunteers and 49.3 ± 15.6 years in cirrhotic patients. The mean years of education level was 11.63 ± 4.20 years in healthy volunteers and 9.62 ± 3.9 years in cirrhotic patients. The PHES of the healthy volunteer group was − 0.08 ± 1.28 and the cut-off between normal and pathological values was set at − 3 points. PHES of the cirrhotic patients was − 7.66 ± 5.62 points and significantly lower than that of volunteers (p < 0.001). Prevalence of MHE was 74% among cirrhotic patients. Age and education level were associated with MHE. Conclusion PHES cut-off value in Cameroonians is − 3, with MHE prevalence of 74% among cirrhotic patients.

【 授权许可】

Unknown