Author information
1University of Washington, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Seattle, Washington, USA.
2Department of Medicine Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Healthcare System and University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.
3Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.
4Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA.
5Human Centered Design & Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.
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.