Abstract
Sleep-related complaints and disturbances are increasingly recognized in the setting
of chronic liver disease and have recently been shown to be an important prognostic
factor in patients with advanced chronic liver disease. This article reviews the literature
surrounding sleep disturbances and disorders in a variety of types of chronic liver
disease. This includes the association of sleep disturbances with hepatitis C and
antiviral therapy, primary biliary cirrhosis, and Wilson disease as well as the circadian
rhythm abnormalities present in cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy. The association
between chronic liver disease, particularly nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and
sleep-disordered breathing is also reviewed in detail.
Keywords
sleep apnea - hepatic cirrhosis - electroencephalogram - polysomnogram - circadian
rhythm