Predictive Value of the Serum Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Level on Hepatic Encephalopathy in Patients with Chronic Liver Disease.

Background: Early diagnosis of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) in chronic liver disease (CLD) is difficult clinically.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) levels could identify early HE in patients with CLD.

Methods: Serum MMP-9 levels in 1,187 patients with CLD were measured at baseline.