Background: Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE), which impairs quality of life (QOL), is difficult to diagnose using curent cognitive tests by non-specialists. The detection rates could potentially improve with easier, patient-administered methods that do not require specialized testing or equipment. Aim: to detect MHE using a validated QOL questionnaire, Sickness Impact Profile (SIP). Methods: 170 cirrhotics (55yrs, 13 yr education, MELD 9, 50%HCV,11%alcohol) without prior overt HE were administered a standard cognitive battery (Number connection-A/B, Digit Symbol and Blocks) as the gold standard for MHE diagnosis along with SIP. SIP consists of 136 questions across 12 QOL domains (body care and movements, mobility, ambulation,emotional behavior, social interactions, alertness,communication, work, sleep and rest, eating, home management and recreation/ pastime) that requires a yes/no answer over the past 24 hours. Proportion of patients that responded yes to each question was compared between MHE and no-MHE groups. Variables independent of cognitive testing; demographics (age,education,gender,alcoholic etiology) and SIP questions differentiating between groups were analyzed using logistic regression and ROC analysis for MHE diagnosis. Results: 93(55%) patients had MHE on standard tests. On SIP, a yes response was found in a higher proportion of MHE patients on 54 questions across all QOL domains. On regression age,male gender and eight questions stay away from home only for brief periods of time I do not maintain balance ,I react slowly to things said or done I do not keep my attention on any activity for long I act irritable or impatient with myself , am not doing any of the shopping that would usually do I am not doing any of my usual physical recreation or activities and I am eating much less than usual differentiated between MHE/no-MHE groups. These questions spanned domains of alertness, eating, recreation/ pastimes, emotional behaviour, body care, mobility and home management.The AUC on ROC for MHE diagnosis was 0.90 with 81% sensitivity and 78% specificity with all 8 statements, age and male gender. Conclusions: Eight patient-reported questions on SIP can effectively screen for MHE in outpatient cirrhotic patients. MHE screening strategies that do not include specialized testing could increase detection rates and therapy.