Metformin Experience on Minimal Hepatic Encephalopathy

Metformin Experience on Minimal Hepatic Encephalopathy in Patients With Liver Cirrhosis

Primary aim:

-To assess the effect of metformin use on the treatment of minimal hepatic encephalopathy in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Secondary aim:

-To evaluate if metformin is a safety drug in patients showing liver cirrhosis.

In this study, 30 patients will be included divided in two arms. Investigators and patients will not know the treatment used (double blind).

Arm 1: Metformin 1000mg twice a day (2000 mg/day), during 12 weeks. Arm 2: Placebo 1000mg twice a day (2000mg/day), during 12 weeks.

At the end of the study, patients will be followed-up 8 weeks more to control the appearance of adverse effects.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with > 18 years old
• Patients with the results of all the factors evaluable at the time of inclusion
• Patients who have accepted their participation in the study through informed consent
• Patients showing liver cirrhosis by ultrasound, transient elastography or liver biopsy
• Patients showing minimal hepatic encephalopathy (PHES < 4 or Critical Flicker Frequency < 39 Hz)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with any contraindications to the drugs used
• Patients showing type 1 diabetes mellitus
• Patients showing type 2 diabetes mellitus and previous or current use of exogenous insulin, metformin or other oral antidiabetic drug