Acetyl-L-Carnitine Reduces Depression and Improves Quality of Life in Patients With Minimal Hepatic Encephalopathy

Status

Completed

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT01223729

Enrollment

Registered

2010-10-19

Start date

2002-04-30

Completion date

2005-11-30

Last updated

2010-10-19

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Minimal Hepatic Encephalopathy

Keywords

Acetyl-L-carnitine;, Minimal hepatic encephalopathy;, Quality of life;, Depression.

Brief summary

Minimal hepatic encephalopathy represents a common complication present in well-compensated cirrhotic patients that impairs patients daily functioning and health-related quality of life. Acetyl-L-carnitine has been shown to be useful in improving blood ammonia and cognitive functions in cirrhotic patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy. This study evaluated the effects of acetyl-L-carnitine treatment on health related quality of life and on depression in patients with minimal hepatic encephalopathy.

Interventions

DRUGAcetyl-L-Carnitine

2 g acetyl-L carnitine twice a day

OTHERplacebo

placebo twice per day

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

34 Years to 67 Years

Inclusion criteria

* All patients diagnosed as having cirrhosis at the outpatient Internal Medicine of the Department of Senescence of Cannizzaro Hospital (Catania) were candidates for enrolment. The diagnosis of cirrhosis was based on clinical, biochemical and ultrasonographic or liver histological data.

Exclusion criteria

Countries

Italy

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026