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Hiramine Y, Uto H, Mawatari S, Kanmura S, Imamura Y, Hiwaki T, Saishoji A, Kakihara A, Maenohara S, Tokushige K, Ido A. Efficacy of rifaximin, a poorly absorbed rifamycin antimicrobial agent, for hepatic encephalopathy in Japanese patients. Hepatol Res 2021; 51:445-460. [PMID: 33533150 DOI: 10.1111/hepr.13622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
AIM Rifaximin is recommended as treatment for hepatic encephalopathy (HE) that targets intestinal bacterial flora. Although combined use with synthetic disaccharides is the standard of care worldwide, the therapeutic effects of rifaximin for overt encephalopathy (OHE) in Japanese patients have not been examined sufficiently. We examined the therapeutic effects of rifaximin for OHE in Japanese patients. METHODS A total of 76 patients who developed OHE of West Haven grade II or higher at least once within the 12 months before starting rifaximin were included. Blood ammonia levels and the incidence of OHE during the 12 months before and after starting rifaximin therapy were compared in a before-and-after study. Rifaximin efficacy and predictors of efficacy were also examined. RESULTS Post-treatment blood ammonia levels were significantly lower than pretreatment levels. The mean annual number of OHE incidents and intravenous branched-chain amino acid preparations used per patient were significantly lower after starting rifaximin therapy (2.51 vs. 0.76 times/year, p < 0.001; and 71.9 vs. 20.7 preparations/year, p = 0.003, respectively). The cumulative incidence of hospitalizations associated with HE significantly decreased after rifaximin therapy (hazard ratio 0.187; p < 0.001). The efficacy rate, defined as the proportion of patients without OHE during the administration of rifaximin for 1 year after starting rifaximin therapy, was 65.8%. Serum albumin ≥2.7 g/dl was an independent predictor of efficacy. CONCLUSION Rifaximin was associated with decreased blood ammonia levels, lower incidence of OHE, and fewer hospitalizations in Japanese patients with HE. In addition, serum albumin level was an important predictor on efficacy of rifaximin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasunari Hiramine
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kagoshima Kouseiren Hospital, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Uto
- Center for Digestive and Liver Diseases, Miyazaki Medical Center Hospital, Miyazaki, Japan.,Digestive and Lifestyle Diseases, Department of Human and Environmental Sciences, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Seiichi Mawatari
- Digestive and Lifestyle Diseases, Department of Human and Environmental Sciences, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Shuji Kanmura
- Digestive and Lifestyle Diseases, Department of Human and Environmental Sciences, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Yasushi Imamura
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kagoshima Kouseiren Hospital, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Takuya Hiwaki
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kagoshima Kouseiren Hospital, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Akiko Saishoji
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kagoshima Kouseiren Hospital, Kagoshima, Japan.,Digestive and Lifestyle Diseases, Department of Human and Environmental Sciences, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Atsuko Kakihara
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kagoshima Kouseiren Hospital, Kagoshima, Japan.,Digestive and Lifestyle Diseases, Department of Human and Environmental Sciences, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Shigeho Maenohara
- Department of Surgery, Kagoshima Kouseiren Hospital, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Koichi Tokushige
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kagoshima Kouseiren Hospital, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Akio Ido
- Digestive and Lifestyle Diseases, Department of Human and Environmental Sciences, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan
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Intravenous and Oral Hyperammonemia Management. CURRENT EMERGENCY AND HOSPITAL MEDICINE REPORTS 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s40138-018-0174-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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