Abstract
The impact of sleep disorders (SDs) on patients with chronic liver diseases (CLD) is tremendous. SDs are frequently encountered among these patients and interfere with their quality of life. This review aims to present the data available so far about the prevalence, phenotypes, and proposed pathophysiological mechanisms of SDs in CLD. Moreover, we proposed to search the literature regarding the most reliable methods to assess SDs and the possible therapeutic options in patients with CLD. The main results of this review show that when it comes to prevalence, the percentages reported vary widely between studies performed among populations from the USA or Europe and those coming from Asian countries. Furthermore, it has been proven that SDs may also be present in the absence of neurocognitive disorders attributable to hepatic encephalopathy (HE), which contradicts traditional suppositions where SDs were considered part of the clinical scenario of HE. Currently, there are no specific recommendations or protocols to assess SDs in CLD patients and data about the therapeutic management are limited. Taking into consideration their impact, a protocol for diagnosing and managing SDs should be developed and included in the daily practice of hepatologists.
Highlights
The attention of medical community is focused especially on the medical treatment of liver diseases and their complications, in order to increase survival and prevent complications
3- to 5-fold higher incidences of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) than the control groups [40]. Another sleep disorder that has been studied in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) is restless leg syndrome (RLS) or Ekbom’s syndrome, which manifests as the urge to move legs or other extremities during rest
CLDaffects affects more than million people all over the world and its prevalence
Summary
The attention of medical community is focused especially on the medical treatment of liver diseases and their complications, in order to increase survival and prevent complications. SDs are often found in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD), such as steatosis, steatohepatitis, and especially cirrhosis, even in the absence of neuropsychiatric impairment [2]. Associated causal factorsare areinincontinuous continuousresearch, research, the the currently currently known data being insufficient to understand their occurrence. No screening protocol has been implemented in daily the daily clinical practice investigating This presents aa comprehensive comprehensive overview overview regarding regarding the the prevalence, prevalence, classificaclassification and and phenotypes phenotypesofofSDs. SDstogether together with their mechanisms, assessment, managetion with their mechanisms, assessment, and and management ment options in patients with. Electronic databases options in patients with CLD, especially liver cirrhosis.
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