Effect of L-carnitine on quality of life in covert hepatic encephalopathy: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studyopen access
- Authors
- Yoon, Eileen L.; Ahn, Sang Bong; Jun, Dae Won; Cho, Yong Kyun; Song, Do Seon; Jeong, Jae Yoon; Kim, Hee Yeon; Jung, Young Kul; Song, Myeong Jun; Kim, Sung Eun; Kim, Hyoung Su; Jeong, Soung Won; Kim, Sang Gyune; Lee, Tae Hee
- Issue Date
- Jul-2022
- Publisher
- 대한내과학회
- Keywords
- Carnitine; Liver cirrhosis; Hepatic encephalopathy; Randomized controlled trials as topic; Stroop test
- Citation
- The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine, v.37, no.4, pp 757 - 767
- Pages
- 11
- Indexed
- SCIE
SCOPUS
KCI
- Journal Title
- The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine
- Volume
- 37
- Number
- 4
- Start Page
- 757
- End Page
- 767
- URI
- https://scholarworks.korea.ac.kr/kumedicine/handle/2021.sw.kumedicine/61039
- DOI
- 10.3904/kjim.2021.338
- ISSN
- 1226-3303
2005-6648
- Abstract
- Background/Aims
L-carnitine is potentially beneficial in patients with hepatic encephalopathy (HE). We aimed to evaluate the impact of L-carnitine on the quality of life and liver function in patients with liver cirrhosis and covert HE.
Methods
We conducted an investigator-initiated, prospective, multi-center, double-blind, randomized phase III trial in patients with covert HE. A total of 150 patients were randomized 1:1 to L-carnitine (2 g/day) or placebo for 24 weeks. Changes in quality of life and liver function were assessed at 6 months. The model for end-stage liver disease (MELD), the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36), the psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score (PHES), and the Stroop Test were evaluated in all patients.
Results
The total SF-36 score significantly improved in the L-carnitine group after 24 weeks (difference: median, 2; interquartile range, 0 to 11; p < 0.001); however, these values were comparable between the two groups. Furthermore, there was a significant ordinal improvement in PHES scores among patients with minimal HE who were in the L-carnitine group (p = 0.007). Changes in the total carnitine level also positively correlated with improvements in the Stroop test in the L-carnitine group (color test, r = 0.3; word test, r = 0.4; inhibition test, r = 0.5; inhibition/switching test, r = 0.3; all p < 0.05). Nevertheless, the MELD scores at week 24 did not differ between the groups.
Conclusions
Twenty-four weeks of L-carnitine supplementation was safe but ineffective in improving quality of life and liver function.
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- Appears in
Collections - 2. Clinical Science > Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology > 1. Journal Articles
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