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Dynamic posturography findings among patients with liver cirrhosis in Egypt

The Egyptian Journal of Internal Medicine volume 24, pages 100–104 (2012)Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Liver cirrhosis is a condition that destroys the normal function of the liver, leading to hepatic encephalopathy, which is associated with impairment in postural control and disturbance in balance.

Aim of the study

The aim of this study was to detect the disturbances in balance and postural control because of hepatic encephalopathy as a result of liver cirrhosis using dynamic posturography.

Participants and methods

Individuals were divided into two groups: 45 patients with liver cirrhosis and 45 controls. Both groups underwent dynamic posturography to evaluate balance control, number connection test-type A, line tracing test, and serum ammonia (NH3) level to assess encephalopathy.

Results

Dynamic posturography findings were significantly weaker in patients with liver cirrhosis than in the controls. They were also weaker in patients with high NH3 than in patients with low NH3. There were significant negative correlations between dynamic posturography findings and number connection test-type A, line tracing test, and NH3 levels.

Conclusion

Hepatic encephalopathy because if liver cirrhosis affects balance control and the degree of affection is related to the degree of encephalopathy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Audiology Unit, ENT Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, 17167, Cairo, Egypt

    Wael M. Aref & Mohamed Naguib

  2. Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt

    Wael M. Aref, Noha A. Hosni & Mohamed El-Basel

Authors
  1. Wael M. Aref
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  2. Noha A. Hosni
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  3. Mohamed Naguib
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  4. Mohamed El-Basel
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Correspondence to Wael M. Aref.

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Aref, W.M., Hosni, N.A., Naguib, M. et al. Dynamic posturography findings among patients with liver cirrhosis in Egypt. Egypt J Intern Med 24, 100–104 (2012). https://doi.org/10.7123/01.EJIM.0000422797.51953.a7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.7123/01.EJIM.0000422797.51953.a7

Keywords

  • dynamic posturography
  • hepatic encephalopathy
  • liver cirrhosis