Late Evening and Early Morning Protein Supplement to Reduce Readmissions for Hepatic Encephalopathy
Readmission rates for patients with hepatic encephalopathy due to end stage liver disease are high. Hyperammonemia contributes significantly to encephalopathy and occurs because of impaired hepatic ureagenesis and increased skeletal muscle proteolysis. We propose a randomized, 6-month nutritional intervention in cirrhotic patients who have had at least 1 admission for hepatic encephalopathy within the last 6 months. We hypothesize that a combination of late evening and early morning protein supplement (Ensure Enlive) will decrease recurrent hepatic encephalopathy and consequent readmission rates by lowering skeletal muscle proteolysis and improved lean body mass.
• \> 18 years of age
• cirrhosis diagnosed by clinical history and liver biopsy and/or clinical, biochemical and imaging evidence of cirrhosis
• at least 1 hospitalization for documented HE within the last 12 months.
• abdominal CT scan anytime in the past