Role of Zinc in Patients Presenting with Recurrent Hepatic Encephalopathy in Medical Unit of Tertiarycare Hospital Lahore

Abstract

Abstract Objective: To observe the effects of zinc replacement on hepatic encephaopahty. To reducce hospital admission and heath burden by reducing episodes of recurrent hepatic encephalopathy. Methods: This study was carried out on 160 patients presenting with hepatic encephalopathy in medical ward of services hospital Lahore. The aim of the study was to assess the role of zinc in the improvement of encephalopathy. Results: The mean age of patients in group A was 55.78 and that in group B was 56.88years.There was significant difference in mean value of hepatic encephalopathy grade in both groups A and B after 3 months of follow up (p.value 0.027) indicating zinc is beneficial in treatment of hepatic encephalopathy. Conclusion: Our study showed that zinc replacement improved outcome in patients with Hepatic encephalopathy. Key words: Hepatic encephalopathy, zinc supplementation, chronic liver disease.