Value of Stroop test in the diagnosis of minimal hepatic encephalopathy / 临床肝胆病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the value of Stroop test, a neuropsychological test, in the diagnosis of minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE). Methods A total of 96 patients with liver cirrhosis who were hospitalized in Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, from August 2020 to March 2021 were enrolled, and the number connection test-A (NCT-A), digit symbol test (DST), animal naming test (ANT), and Stroop test were performed for all patients. Test results were recorded and related clinical data were collected. The t -test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups; the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to investigate the value of Stroop test in the diagnosis of MHE, and the Pearson correlation coefficient was used to analyze the correlation of the results of Stroop test with those of NCT-A, DST, and ANT. Results For the 96 patients with liver cirrhosis, the prevalence rate of MHE was 30.21% (29/96). The Off+On time of Stroop test had a cut-off value of 212.49 s in the diagnosis of MHE, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.845, a sensitivity of 93.10%, and a specificity of 64.20%. The Pearson correlation analysis showed that the On+Off time and On time of Stroop test were moderately correlated with NCT-A( r =0.580 and 0.590, both P < 0.01), the Off time of Stroop test was strongly correlated with NCT-A( r =0.620, P < 0.01), and the On+Off time, On time, and Off time of Stroop test were strongly correlated with DST( r =-0.650, -0.650, and -0.630, all P < 0.01). Conclusion In the diagnosis of MHE, Stroop test is a highly sensitive method with easy-to-read results and a high diagnostic value and does not require professional equipment.