Screening for Alcohol-related Cognitive Impairments in Cirrhotic Patients

Screening for Alcohol-related Cognitive Impairments in Cirrhotic Patients

80% of patients with alcohol use disorders (AUD) present cognitive impairments, such as memory and executive functions. These disorders may have repercussions in addiction treatment by altering the patient's adherence to care. The level of impairment is dependent on the onset of addiction, and also the duration of abstinence.

A complete neuropsychological evaluation is necessary to highlight cognitive impairments. In practice, the evaluation of these disorders by practitioners, is done with the help of tools of screening like the MoCa (Montreal cognitive assesment) and the BEARNI (Brief evaluation of alcohol related neuropsychological impairment).

However, none of these tools have been evaluated in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis. Indeed, some studies have suggested that liver disorders including cirrhosis may be a factor aggravating cognitive disorders.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the ability of the BEARNI tool to detect alcohol-related cognitive problems in patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patient with cirrhosis
• patients with cirrhosis diagnosed by clinical examination
• patients with cirrhosis diagnosed by biological and / or morphological and / or noninvasive tests and / or liver biopsy
• CHILD A, B or C

Exclusion Criteria:

• hepatitis encephalopathy less than 6 months old
• complicated cirrhosis with hepatocellular carcinoma
• Acute alcoholic hepatitis
• viral cirrhosis