A recent study suggests that up to 13 percent of people diagnosed with dementia in the US may have a misdiagnosis and are instead struggling with hepatic encephalopathy, a condition caused by liver failure. This overlap can make it difficult for healthcare providers to distinguish between the two conditions.
Hepatic encephalopathy affects more than 40 percent of patients with advanced liver disease, such as cirrhosis. The brain impairments caused by liver failure can be similar to those experienced by people with dementia.
However, treating hepatic encephalopathy can reverse cognitive impairments in some cases. In fact, a recent study found that treatment resolved memory loss, falls, tremors, and hallucinations in at least two patients who had been diagnosed with dementia.
The study also suggests that even the impacts of aging on the liver may be reversible if caught early enough. Researchers have shown that reducing the impact of aging can reverse non-alcoholic liver disease damage.
In the US, researchers reviewed medical records of 177,422 veterans diagnosed with dementia between 2009 and 2019. They found that over 10 percent had high fibrosis scores, indicating a higher likelihood of cirrhosis. A similar review of patients from a national database found almost 13 percent had high fibrosis scores.
The study highlights the importance of prioritizing liver health to prevent cognitive decline. By screening patients for potentially treatable contributors to cognitive decline, healthcare providers can make more accurate diagnoses and provide better care.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/up-to-13-of-dementia-cases-could-be-a-misdiagnosed-treatable-condition