Page 21 - Time to DeLiver: Getting a Grip on HE report 2015

SECTION 5

Ensuring access to therapies for Hepatic
Encephalopathy

• Substantial direct costs are attributable Treatments for hepatic encephalopathy are
available which improve patient outcomes
to hospitalisations for hepatic (Figure 2).1,27,28 The most important aspect
encephalopathy, in addition to of hepatic encephalopathy management
indirect costs.1 is prompt recognition and treatment of
precipitating factors; many patients can be
• Long hospital stays for these patients successfully managed with correction of the
precipitating factor.1,15 Unfortunately, not all
increase resource utilisation.1 treatments are available and/or reimbursed in
all European countries.
• European prevalence data for
After initial delays in diagnosis, Tanya
hospitalisations due to hepatic and Jane responded well to treatment
encephalopathy are currently unknown, and have noticed real changes in their
however they are likely to be consistent day-to-day lives. After receiving her liver
with USA figures where approximately transplant, Sheila is almost back to her
110,000 hospitalisations each year are original self.
due to hepatic encephalopathy.1

• Real-world data from 295 patients treated

in the UK reported that the introduction of
appropriate treatment was associated with
a significant decrease in one-year hospital
admissions, duration of stay and costs.13

Treatment options
for hepatic
encephalopathy
are available
which reduce the
risk of recurrence
and subsequent
hospitalisation1,27,28

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