Will Hepatic Encephalopathy Kill You?

This condition occurs in more than 50% of all people with liver cirrhosis. Untreated, it can lead to coma and death.

Can hepatic encephalopathy cause death?

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is one of the most debilitating complications of cirrhosis leading to death. Decrease in HE mortality and recurrence has been linked with timely identification and early treatment.

How long does someone live with hepatic encephalopathy?

In patients with compensated cirrhosis, median survival is greater than 12 years. By contrast, in patients experiencing a decompensation, commonly defined by ascites, hepatic encephalopathy (HE), variceal haemorrhage and jaundice, survival is far shorter at two years or less[3-5].