Table 1 Inclusion and exclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of cirrhosis

• West Haven score of ≥2 at study entry

• Age ≥ 18 years

• A mental health disorder that makes HE diagnosis questionable (e.g., dementia, psychosis)

• Enrolment within 12 weeks of resolution of an episode of overt HE associated with a hospital visit

• Prior treatment with rifaximin^a within 12 months prior to the qualifying overt HE episode

• Ability to provide informed consent

• Contraindications to the use of rifaximin-α 550 mg, as per the local Summary of Product Characteristics [16, 17]

• Clinical eligibility to receive rifaximin-α 550 mg, in the opinion of the participating physician, regardless of HE treatment actually received