The association between hepatic encephalopathy/minimal hepatic encephalopathy and depressive and anxiety disorders: a systematic review.

<bold>Objectives: </bold>This review examined the currently available evidence of the association between liver encephalopathy and mood/anxiety disorders.<bold>Method: </bold>English-language studies using the keywords "hepatic encephalopathy," "depression," and "anxiety" were searched through PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Library, and PsycINFO databases. A total of 135 articles were considered for this review, of which 9 were qualitative and quantitative research papers regarding depression and anxiety in hepatic encephalopathy (HE).<bold>Results: </bold>There is a significant discrepancy between the research method of the studies and their outcomes. The number of studies suggesting a relationship between HE and mood/anxiety disorders is slightly higher than that of studies with opposite results; however, based on the current evidence, it is difficult to conclude a significant association between these two conditions.<bold>Conclusion: </bold>More longitudinal studies that include face-to-face psychiatric assessments are required to highlight any possible association between depressive/anxiety disorders and HE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]