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Multicenter Study
. 2021 Jul 12;21(1):287.
doi: 10.1186/s12876-021-01858-7.

Normalisation of the psychometric encephalopathy score within the Cameroonian population

Larissa Pessidjo Djomatcho  1 , Mathurin Pierre Kowo  2   3 , Antonin Ndjitoyap Ndam  1   4 , Sylvain Raoul Simeni Njonnou  5 , Gabin Ulrich Kenfack  1 , Firmin Ankouane Andoulo  1   6 , Servais Fiacre Eloumou Bagnaka  7   8 , Winnie Tatiana Bekolo  7   8 , Agnès Malongue  9 , Isabelle Dang Babagna  10 , Magloire Biwolé Sida  1 , Henry Luma  1   9 , Oudou Njoya  1   11
Affiliations
Multicenter Study

Normalisation of the psychometric encephalopathy score within the Cameroonian population

Larissa Pessidjo Djomatcho et al. BMC Gastroenterol. .

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.

Keywords: Cameroon; Cirrhosis; Minimal hepatic encephalopathy; Psychometric tests; Sub-Saharan Africa.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest for this study.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Correlations between psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score (PHES) and age and education in patients with cirrhosis: age (a) and education (b)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Relationship between psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score (PHES) calculated by Spanish and Cameroonian reference data in patients with cirrhosis (n = 50)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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