Aim: The aim of the study was to find the role of Helicobacter pylori infection in the pathogenesis of minimal hepatic encephalopathy and effect of its eradication. Methods: A prospective study was conducted in the Department of Gastroenterology for the period of 2 years. 200 patients were included in the study. In patients of suspected cirrhosis of liver ultrasound and endoscopic examination were performed. Results: Hepatitis B virus infection was the most common (35%) cause of cirrhosis. In the study group, most patients were in Child-Pugh class A (25%) or B (57.5%); most patients in Child-Pugh class C who were screened fulfilled one or more exclusion criteria. Presence of MHE had no significant relationship with age, sex, Child-Pugh grade, and cause of cirrhosis. H. Pylori infection was found in 90 of 140 patients with MHE (p< 0.001). Patients with MHE and H. Pylori infection showed a significant reduction in blood ammonia levels after anti-H. Pylori treatment (p<0.001). Conclusion: This study concluded that H Pylori infection plays a role in the causation of MHE in patients with liver cirrhosis. H Pylori infection can induce an increase in serum ammonia in patients with liver dysfunction, and the peripheral serum ammonia measurement may replace the portal vein serum ammonia as a monitoring method. Eradication of H Pylori in cirrhotic patients may prevent hepatic encephalopathy (HE).

Aim: The aim of the study was to find the role of Helicobacter pylori infection in the pathogenesis of minimal hepatic encephalopathy and effect of its eradication. Methods: A prospective study was conducted in the Department of Gastroenterology for the period of 2 years. 200 patients were included in the study. In patients of suspected cirrhosis of liver ultrasound and endoscopic examination were performed. Results: Hepatitis B virus infection was the most common (35%) cause of cirrhosis. In the study group, most patients were in Child-Pugh class A (25%) or B (57.5%); most patients in Child-Pugh class C who were screened fulfilled one or more exclusion criteria. Presence of MHE had no significant relationship with age, sex, Child-Pugh grade, and cause of cirrhosis. H. Pylori infection was found in 90 of 140 patients with MHE (p< 0.001). Patients with MHE and H. Pylori infection showed a significant reduction in blood ammonia levels after anti-H. Pylori treatment (p<0.001). Conclusion: This study concluded that H Pylori infection plays a role in the causation of MHE in patients with liver cirrhosis. H Pylori infection can induce an increase in serum ammonia in patients with liver dysfunction, and the peripheral serum ammonia measurement may replace the portal vein serum ammonia as a monitoring method. Eradication of H Pylori in cirrhotic patients may prevent hepatic encephalopathy (HE).