Protein Supplement to Prevent Hospital Readmissions for Liver Disease Patients

This trial is testing whether Ensure Enlive, a protein supplement taken twice a day, can help prevent patients with advanced liver disease from being readmitted to the hospital. The study focuses on people who have already experienced hepatic encephalopathy — a serious condition where liver disease causes confusion and brain symptoms. The researchers believe that extra protein at specific times of day may help preserve muscle strength and reduce the buildup of harmful substances in the body that trigger these symptoms.

Patients with advanced liver disease frequently return to the hospital because of hepatic encephalopathy, which is costly and disruptive to their lives. Current treatments don't prevent readmissions well enough, so doctors are exploring whether this medication can help by addressing one of the root causes — the loss of muscle mass and buildup of ammonia in the blood.