BRUSSELS, October 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

Hepatic encephalopathy is a brain dysfunction and complication of liver cirrhosis, that is estimated to affect up to 200,000^[1],[2] people in Europe

ELPA today launched a new call to action report 'Time to DeLiver: Getting a Grip on HE' at the European Parliament in Brussels. This is the first report from Europe to highlight the significant burden of hepatic encephalopathy on patients, their carers, families and society. The event was hosted by UK MEP Anneliese Dodds.

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Hepatic encephalopathy is a potentially life-threatening neuropsychiatric condition associated with liver disease. Hepatic encephalopathy remains underdiagnosed and under-treated, resulting in poor quality of life for patients and a high burden on those who care for them.

'Time to DeLiver: Getting a Grip on HE' report, was authored by clinical and patient association experts from across Europe. The report highlights ten calls to action which are critical to improve the identification, treatment and management of hepatic encephalopathy.

Tatjana Reic, President of ELPA stated: "This report represents a very important milestone in the treatment of this debilitating condition, which affects thousands of people in Europe each year. For too long, people living with hepatic encephalopathy have been misdiagnosed and overlooked by healthcare systems. This report is clearly setting out the standards of care that need to be in place to manage this condition, and we are looking forward to working with governments and patient associations across Europe to help improve the management of this condition."

"This report is a turning point. I hope that my colleagues in the European Parliament can help implement the report's calls to action which will help to recognise the importance of hepatic encephalopathy and improve its treatment," commented Anneliese Dodds, MEP for the South East of England.

The development of the 'Time to DeLiver' report was sponsored by Norgine B.V.

See full release on http://www.elpa-info.org or http://www.norgine.com

References

1 Blachier M et al, The burden of liver disease in Europe: a review of available epidemiological data. European Association for the Study of the Liver. 2013

2 Amodio P et al. Prevalence and prognostic value of quantified electroencephalogram (EEG) alterations in cirrhotic patients. J Hepatol. 2001;35(1):37-45

Media Contacts  

Alex Davies, Tonic Life Communications, Mob: +44-7720-496472, Email: alex.davies@toniclc.com
Charlotte Andrews, Norgine, Mob: +44-7714-061-485, Email: candrews2@norgine.com
Margaret Walker, ELPA, Mob: + 44-7747-121-175, Email: margaret@elpa-info.org

SOURCE European Liver Patients' Association (ELPA)