PHES scores have limited impact on the risk of overt HE in patients with minimal HE

Background:Minimal hepatic encephalopathy, defined by the portosystemic hepatic encephalopathy score (PHES), is associated with a higher risk of subsequent OHE. It remains unclear if there is a stepwise increase in OHE risk with worse PHES results.Methods:In this multicenter study, patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy, as defined by abnormal PHES, were followed for OHE development.Results:In all, 207 patients were included. There was no stepwise increase in OHE risk with worse PHES results.Conclusions:Abnormal PHES is associated with a higher OHE risk, but we found no stepwise increase in OHE risk with worse PHES results below the established cutoff.