• Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is associated with a significant increase in mortality (58.1% vs. 32.4%), as well as longer hospital stays (8 days vs. 6.8 days) and more primary care visits (18.2 vs. 8.7 contacts per patient year) compared to similar liver patients without HE1,2
• XIFAXAN® 550 (rifaximin-a) is a cost-effective treatment option for the reduction of recurrent hepatic encephalopathy as shown over a number of different time horizons and plausible scenarios4
LONDON, UK, Friday 11 April 2014, 06.00 BST – New data presented today at the International Liver Congress (ILC), 2014 show the impact of hepatic encephalopathy on liver disease patients and healthcare systems.
Data show that liver disease patients who develop HE have almost double the risk of dying compared with similar liver disease patients without HE over the same time period (mortality rate of 58.1% vs. 32.4% respectively).[1]
A further analysis demonstrates that liver disease patients with HE are admitted to hospital three times more often for illnesses directly related to their liver disease, compared with liver disease patients without HE (admission ratio of 3.588:1 for HE patients vs. control group) and are admitted to hospital one and a half times more often for unrelated illnesses (admission ratio of 1.488:1 for HE patients vs. control group). Liver disease patients with HE will consult primary care more often following initial diagnosis (18.2 vs. 8.7 primary care contacts per patient year) and stay in hospital longer (8 days vs. 6.8 days)[2] than those without HE, collectively representing a substantial increased use of healthcare resources.
There is currently no cure for HE other than liver transplant. However, XIFAXAN® 550 (rifaximin-a) significantly reduces the risk of further HE episodes.[3] Data demonstrate that treatment with XIFAXAN® 550 versus standard care (lactulose) offers a cost-effective treatment option for reduction of recurrence of overt HE over a number of different time periods and plausible scenarios, e.g. incremental cost-effectiveness ratios ranged from £13,919 to £21,425 for each year of perfect health gained through treatment with XIFAXAN® 550 (Quality Adjusted Life Year) over a five year period.[4]
“Hepatic encephalopathy is a serious but largely un-recognised condition that must be considered as part of the overall burden of liver disease.” commented study investigator Dr Mark Hudson, Consultant Hepatologist, Freeman Hospital, UK.
He added: “These new data demonstrate that hepatic encephalopathy both significantly increases mortality risk in patients with chronic liver disease and places a substantial additional burden on already-stretched healthcare systems in both primary and secondary care. XIFAXAN® 550 is an important new medicine in the management of hepatic encephalopathy, and the cost-effectiveness data presented today support its benefits in terms of potential cost savings versus current practice.”
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