Barriers to Lactulose Adherence in Patients with Cirrhosis and Hepatic Encephalopathy.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in patients with cirrhosis. Lactulose non-adherence is one of the most frequently reported precipitants of hospital admission for HE.

Aims

We aimed to identify which factors contribute most to lactulose non-adherence and propose strategies to promote greater adherence and utilization of lactulose.

Methods

Participants in this study consisted of patients with cirrhosis who were taking lactulose for prevention of HE. Subjects were administered the Morisky Adherence Scale 8 (MAS-8) and a customized 16-question survey that assessed barriers to lactulose adherence. Results from the MAS-8 were used to stratify subjects into "adherent" and "non-adherent" groups. Survey responses were compared

SUBMITTER: Chow KW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11380462 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature