Recruitment case 11/15/19 involved an older patient with multiple cardiovascular risk factors / metabolic syndrome presenting with acute onset encephalopathy. Exam was consistent with toxic-metabolic encephalopathy and after stroke was ruled out, they were diagnosed with hepatic encephalopathy secondary to newly diagnosed cirrhosis which was attributed to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). They were treated with lactulose and mental status improved. More information here: cirrhosis – 11.15
Take home points:
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Acute confusional state and weakness are common chief complaints – schema for these will help you evaluate the broad differential and hopefully figure out the cause
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UNCOMMON presentations of COMMON diseases are more common than….
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NAFLD is very common with a small subset of patients progressing to cirrhosis
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Diet, exercise, and weight loss are the treatments of choice for NAFLD/NASH
