6.Comparison of the Standard Therapy versus Add-On Zinc Therapy for the Management of Hepatic Encephalopathy
Kashif Nawaz1, Muhammad Rizwan2, Awais Aslam3, Atif Maqsood2, Faizan Aslam4 and Muhammad Absar Alam2
ABSTRACT
Objective: The objective of this study is to compare the frequency of decrease in number of hepatic encephalopathy episodes with patients receiving standard versus add on zinc therapy.
Study Design: randomized controlled study
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the department of Gastroenterology, Aziz Fatima Medical and Dental college, Faisalabad for a period of six months from July, 2020 to December, 2020.
Materials and Methods: Total 90 patients meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria were studied in 6 months period from July to December 2020. HE was diagnosed with use of west haven criteria. Patients were divided in two groups. On group received standard treatment including lactulose, rifaximin and protein restricted diet (control group) and other group received add on zinc therapy 40 mg daily in addition to standard treatment (Zinc group) and were followed for 3 months and number of HE episodes were noted.
Results: In control group, decrease in episodes of hepatic encephalopathy was observed in 33.33% while decrease in episodes of hepatic encephalopathy was observed in 57.78%. By using chi-square test it found that decrease in number of HE was significantly higher in zinc therapy group having p-value = 0.017. By stratification of age, it was found that there was significant association found in decrease in HE episodes and study group in less than 45 years of age having p-value = 0.018 but there was no significant association between decrease in HE episodes and study group in greater than 45 years of age having p-value = 0.430.
Conclusion: Decrease in episodes of hepatic encephalopathy was observed significantly higher in zinc therapy group. Significant association was found in decrease in HE episodes and study group in less than 45 years of age, males and number of HE episodes in previous three months.
Key Words: Liver Cirrhosis, hepatic encephalopathy, Zinc Therapy.
Citation of article: Nawaz K, Rizwan M, Aslam A, Maqsood A, Aslam F, Alam MA. Comparison of the Standard Therapy versus Add-On Zinc Therapy for the Management of Hepatic Encephalopathy. Med Forum 2022;33(3):22-25.