Rifaximin versus Nonabsorbable Disaccharides for the Treatment of Hepatic Encephalopathy: A Meta-Analysis

Table 1

RCTs with rifaximin (1200 mg/day) in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy.

Authors	Country	Year	Rifaximi; (𝑛)	Control (𝑛)	Comparative agent	Duration of treatment	Outcomes
Paik et al. [21]	South Korea	2005	32	22	Lactulose 90 mL/d	7 d	Mental status, flapping tremors, NCT, blood ammonia, and HE index
Verhagen et al. [24]	Italy	2001	9	12	Lactulose 60 mL/d	21 d	Asterixis, EEG, blood ammonia
Festi et al. [25]	Italy	1993	30	28	Lactulose 45 mL/d	15 d	Mental status, asterixis, cancellation test, Reitan test, EEG, and blood ammonia
Bucci and Palmieri [26]	Italy	1993	20	20	Lactulose 90 mL/d	15 d	Mental status, asterixis, cancellation test, EEG, trail making test, PSE index, and blood ammonia
Massa et al. [27]	Spain	1993	50	53	Lactitol 60 g/d	5–10 d	HE grade, mental status, asterixis, NCT, EEG, PSE index, and blood ammonia
Mas et al. [28]	Italy	2003	14	13	Lactulose 90 g/d	3 month	Mental status, asterixis, NCT, and blood ammonia
Loguercio et al. [29]	Italy	2003	20	20	Lactulose 120 mL/d	3 month	Mental status, asterixis, cancellation test, Reitan test, EEG, and PSE severity
Fera et al. [30]	South Korea	1993	39	25	Lactulose 90 mL/d	7 d	Blood ammonia, mental status, flapping tremors, NCT, and HE index

NCT: number connection test, EEG: electroencephalogram, and PSE: portosystemic encephalopathy.