Rifaximin improves driving simulator performance in a randomized trial of patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy.

ABSTRACT:

Background & aims

Patients with cirrhosis and minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) have driving difficulties but the effects of therapy on driving performance is unclear. We evaluated whether performance on a driving simulator improves in patients with MHE after treatment with rifaximin.

Methods

Patients with MHE who were current drivers were randomly assigned to placebo or rifaximin groups and followed up for 8 weeks (n = 42). Patients underwent driving simulation (driving and navigation tasks) at the start (baseline) and end of the study. We evaluated patients' cognitive abilities, quality of life (using the Sickness Impact Profile), serum levels of ammonia, levels of inflammatory cytokines, and model for end-stage-liver disease scores. The primary outcome was the percenta

SUBMITTER: Bajaj JS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3020996 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature