Managing Sleep Disturbances in Cirrhosis

Overview

Journal Scientifica (Cairo)

Publisher Wiley

Specialty Biology

Date 2016 Jun 1

PMID 27242950

Citations 6

Authors

Xun Zhao

Philip Wong

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Sleep disturbances, particularly daytime sleepiness and insomnia, are common problems reported by patients suffering from liver cirrhosis. Poor sleep negatively impacts patients' quality of life and cognitive functions and increases mortality. Although sleep disturbances can be an early sign of hepatic encephalopathy (HE), many patients without HE still complain of poor quality sleep. The pathophysiology of these disturbances is not fully understood but is believed to be linked to impaired hepatic melatonin metabolism. This paper provides an overview for the clinician of common comorbidities contributing to poor sleep in patients with liver disease, mainly restless leg syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea. It discusses nondrug and pharmacologic treatment options in these patients, such as the use of light therapy and histamine (H1) blockers.

Citing Articles

The Effects of Adding Probiotic, Alone and in Combination With Zinc, to Routine Treatment on Recurrence of Hepatic Encephalopathy, Quality of Life, and Sleep Quality in Patients With Cirrhosis: An Open-Label Randomized Controlled Trial.

Amooyi L, Alizadeh L, Sarbakhsh P, Shojaei-Zarghani S, Gharekhani A Food Sci Nutr. 2025; 13(1):e4636.

PMID: 39803228 PMC: 11716993. DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.4636.

Commonly encountered symptoms and their management in patients with cirrhosis.

Philips C Front Med (Lausanne). 2024; 11:1442525.

PMID: 39610685 PMC: 11602333. DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1442525.

REAC Reparative Treatment: A Promising Therapeutic Option for Alcoholic Cirrhosis of the Liver.

Pereira L, Pereira J, Fontani V, Rinaldi S J Pers Med. 2023; 13(12).

PMID: 38138925 PMC: 10744513. DOI: 10.3390/jpm13121698.

Prevalence of and Factors Associated with Sleep-Wake Abnormalities in Patients with Cirrhosis.

Kumar M, Kainth S, Kumar S, Bhardwaj A, KumarAggarwal H, Maiwall R J Clin Exp Hepatol. 2021; 11(4):453-465.

PMID: 34276152 PMC: 8267360. DOI: 10.1016/j.jceh.2020.10.006.

Low-dose melatonin for sleep disturbances in early-stage cirrhosis: A randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial.

De Silva A, Niriella M, Ediriweera D, De Alwis J, Liyanage I, Ettickan U JGH Open. 2020; 4(4):749-756.

PMID: 32782966 PMC: 7411556. DOI: 10.1002/jgh3.12356.

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