HCV-Related Chronic Liver Disorders and Sleep Disturbance

Introduction: Sleep is closely related to physical and mental health. Sleep disturbance is the fifth lifestylerelated diseases. On the other hand, it has been reported that HCV-related chronic liver disorders, especially cirrhosis, are associated with sleep disturbance. In this study, we examined the relationship between HCV-related chronic liver disorders and sleep disturbance. Methods: The study population comprised 86 patients with HCV-related chronic liver disorders without neuropsychiatric impairment (44 patients with chronic hepatitis and 42 patients with liver cirrhosis). A total 343 examinees served as controls. Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) was used to assess sleep quality. The scores were summated to provide the PSQI scores; scores of >5 identified sleep disturbance. Results: The frequency of sleep disturbance was 34.7% (119/343) in controls, 34.1% (15/44) in patients with chronic hepatitis C, and 57.1% (24/42) in patients with liver cirrhosis. In the comparison between controls and patients with chronic liver disorders, time to sleep onset in chronic liver disorders group was significantly longer and the number of PSQI in its group was significantly higher. In the age-matched comparison between patients with chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis, time to sleep onset in liver cirrhosis was significantly longer. However, time of sleep both groups was not significant. In the patients with chronic liver disorders, time to sleep onset showed a significant negative correlation to albumin and HbA1c. In addition, the number of PSQI showed a significant positive correlation to alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and a significant negative correlation to the number of platelet. Conclusion: Patients with HCV-related liver cirrhosis showed the significant increase in the frequency of sleep disturbance and the significant extension of the sleep onset time.