Lactulose Therapy Improves Sleep and Activity Impairment in Cirrhosis Patients

A recent 28-day randomized trial assessed the impact of crystalline lactulose therapy on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in cirrhosis patients with high Work Productivity and Activity Impairment scores attributed to cirrhosis. The study found that lactulose therapy improved sleep quality and reduced activity impairment, as well as increasing performance on the Animal Naming Test.

This study was published in the Hepatology journal by Tapper and colleagues. Patients with cirrhosis often experience poor patient-reported outcomes (PROs), including sleep disturbances and reduced health-related quality of life (HRQOL), which can be attributed to hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Many clinicians initiate lactulose therapy to address these PROs, but the impact of PRO-triggered therapy with lactulose has not been studied extensively.

The study involved a 28-day randomized trial in which 52 patients with cirrhosis, portal hypertension, no prior history of HE, and high Work Productivity and Activity Impairment scores attributed to cirrhosis were included. The patients were divided into two groups: one receiving crystalline lactulose therapy (20 g BID) and the other receiving no HE-directed therapy. The primary outcome was the change in global HRQOL, assessed using the Short Form-8 Health Survey. Secondary outcomes included changes in the Animal Naming Test score, Work Productivity and Activity Impairment, and sleep quality.