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- Title
Additional L-Carnitine Reduced the Risk of Hospitalization in Patients with Overt Hepatic Encephalopathy on Rifaximin.
- Authors
Kubota, Kousuke; Uojima, Haruki; Shao, Xue; Iwasaki, Shuichiro; Hidaka, Hisashi; Wada, Naohisa; Nakazawa, Takahide; Shibuya, Akitaka; Kako, Makoto; Koizumi, Wasaburo
- Abstract
Background: Data regarding the additional effect on the recurrence of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) after oral L-carnitine administration are scarce. Objective: This study aimed to assess the additional effects of L-carnitine in patients who were receiving rifaximin for HE. Methods: This randomized study comprised a screening visit and a 12-week treatment period. Patients who fulfilled the eligibility criteria were randomized to either group A (additional rifaximin) or group B (additional L-carnitine and rifaximin). Group A received 1,200 mg/day of rifaximin. Group B received 1,500 mg/day of L-carnitine and rifaximin at 1,200 mg/day. The endpoints were the changes in the portal systemic encephalopathy (PSE) index and the admission rate from the baseline for the duration of the study in both groups. Results: Eighty-three patients were randomized to either group A (n = 42) or group B (n = 41). In group A, the PSE index decreased from 0.35 ± 0.09 at baseline to 0.27 ± 0.11 on the final evaluation day (p = 0.001). In group B, the PSE index decreased from 0.37 ± 0.09 at baseline to 0.24 ± 0.11 on the final evaluation day (p = 0.001). Although there was not a significant reduction in the PSE index in group A compared to that in group B (p = 0.202), the admission rates were 30.9% and 9.8% in groups A and B, respectively. Additional L-carnitine significantly reduced the admission rate (p = 0.028). Conclusion: L-Carnitine addition reduced the risk of hospitalization for patients who received rifaximin for HE.
- Subjects
RIFAXIMIN; HEPATIC encephalopathy; CARNITINE; HOSPITAL care
- Publication
Digestive Diseases, 2022, Vol 40, Issue 3, p313
- ISSN
0257-2753
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1159/000518067