Evaluating a Novel, Portable, Self-Administrable Device (“Beacon”) That Measures Critical Flicker Frequency as a Test for Hepatic Encephalopathy : Official journal of the American College of Gastroenterology | ACG

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Evaluating a Novel, Portable, Self-Administrable Device (“Beacon”) That Measures Critical Flicker Frequency as a Test for Hepatic Encephalopathy

Vutien, Philip MD, MS1,2,*; Li, Richard PhD candidate3,*; Karkar, Ravi PhD4,3; Munson, Sean A. PhD5; Fogarty, James PhD3; Walter, Kara MD1; Yacoub, Michael BS1; Ioannou, George N. BMBCh, MS1,2

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The American Journal of Gastroenterology ():10.14309/ajg.0000000000002211, February 24, 2023. | DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000002211

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: 

We compared critical flicker frequency (CFF) thresholds obtained using a novel portable device “Beacon” with thresholds from the commercially available Lafayette Flicker Fusion System (Lafayette-FFS) in patients with cirrhosis.

METHODS: 

One hundred fifty-three participants with chronic liver disease underwent CFF testing using Beacon and Lafayette-FFS with a method-of-limits and/or forced-choice protocol.

RESULTS: 

Beacon demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation 0.91–0.97) and good correlation with the Lafayette-FFS values (intraclass correlation 0.77–0.84). Forced-choice CFF were on average 4.1 Hz higher than method-of-limits descending CFFs.

DISCUSSION: 

Beacon can be self-administered by patients with chronic liver disease and cirrhosis to measure CFF, a validated screening test for minimal hepatic encephalopathy.

© 2023 by The American College of Gastroenterology

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