Managing Sleep Disturbances in Cirrhosis

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

Overt hepatic encephalopathy (OHE) is a common complication of decompensated cirrhosis. This study aimed to assess the effects of probiotic, alone and in combination with zinc, on OHE recurrence, Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, ammonia level, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and sleep quality in patients with cirrhosis. We performed an open-label randomized controlled trial on patients with decompensated cirrhosis with a previous history of OHE. Eligible patients (n = 45) were divided randomly into three equal groups to receive 30-45 mL lactulose syrup (2-4 times/day), lactulose and probiotic (4.5 × 1011 CFU of bacteria, 2 times/day), or a combination of lactulose, probiotic, and zinc (25 mg) for 3 months. In this study, probiotic, alone or in combination with zinc, had no effect on OHE recurrence, ammonia levels, and MELD score. Mental aspects and total score of HRQoL were improved following probiotic and its combination with zinc, even after adjustment for baseline values, age, and sex. However, physical aspects of HRQoL and sleep quality were only improved by probiotic and zinc combination compared to the lactulose alone. Our findings showed improved HRQoL after treatment with probiotic, alone or in combination with zinc. However, sleep quality was influenced only by probiotic and zinc combination. Trail Registration: This study has been registered in the Iranian registry of clinical trials (IRCT20170609034406N9).

Commonly encountered symptoms and their management in patients with cirrhosis

This exhaustive review, explored the multifaceted symptoms and their management in patients with cirrhosis. Patients frequently endure pain, muscle cramps, sleep disturbances, psychological distress, and gastrointestinal issues, significantly impairing their quality of life. Pain is prevalent, often requiring analgesics, while muscle cramps affect up to 68% of patients, treated with supplements like zinc and taurine despite limited evidence. Sleep disturbances, including insomnia and excessive daytime sleepiness, afflict up to 80% of patients, managed through lactulose, melatonin, and cognitive behavioral therapies. Gastrointestinal symptoms, affecting 80%, include abdominal pain and bloating, necessitating lifestyle and dietary adjustments. Mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety, are common, managed with a combination of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. Sexual dysfunction, often overlooked, profoundly impacts both men and women, requiring holistic treatment approaches. Pruritus, another distressing symptom, is managed with moisturizers and antihistamines, though many treatments show limited success. Hair loss and skin changes add to the psychological burden, highlighting the need for a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach. The review underscores the imperative for tailored, compassionate care to enhance patient outcomes and quality of life in cirrhosis.

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

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a significant global health concern associated with excessive alcohol consumption. ALD encompasses various liver conditions with complex pathogenesis and progression influenced by environmental, genetic, and epigenetic factors. Alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver (ALC) is particularly prevalent among socially disadvantaged individuals, and current pharmacotherapy options provide limited treatment. This study aims to explore the potential benefits of radio electric asymmetric conveyer (REAC) technology and its tissue optimization reparative treatment (TO-RPR) in managing ALC. The liver possesses remarkable regenerative capabilities closely tied to its bioelectrical properties. REAC TO-RPR is a novel biotechnological therapeutic approach that aims to enhance and expedite reparative processes in injured tissues by restoring disrupted cellular endogenous bioelectric fields. This study seeks to optimize understanding of REAC TO-RPR's impact on liver function and clinical outcomes in ALC patients. By investigating the mechanisms underlying liver's reparative abilities and evaluating the efficacy of REAC TO-RPR, this research aims to address the urgent need for improved interventions in managing ALC. The findings hold potential for developing innovative treatment approaches, improving patient outcomes, and reducing the societal and individual burden associated with ALC.

Evaluating sleep in covert encephalopathy with wearable technology: results from the WATCHES study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Covert HE (CHE) is a common early stage of HE associated with poor outcomes. Available neuropsychiatric diagnostic testing is underutilized and has significant clinical limitations. Sleep deterioration is consistently associated with CHE and HE; however, objective data is sparse and it has not been studied longitudinally. We longitudinally study and describe an association of sleep metrics with CHE as detected by a commercial wearable technology.

METHODS

We monitored sleep for 6 months using a commercial fitness tracker in 25 participants with cirrhosis, hypothesizing that CHE as diagnosed by psychometric testing would be associated with significant reductions in sleep quality, especially restorative sleep (deep sleep + rapid eye movement). Mixed-effects modeling was performed to evaluate sleep factors associated with CHE and developed and internally validated a score based on these sleep metrics for associated CHE.

RESULTS

Across 2862 nights with 66.3% study adherence, we found that those with CHE had consistently worse sleep, including an average of 1 hour less of nightly restorative sleep, driven primarily by reductions in rapid eye movement. A model including albumin, bilirubin, rapid eye movement, sleep disturbances, and sleep consistency showed good discrimination (area under the receiver operating curve=0.79) for CHE status with a sensitivity of 76% and specificity of 69%.

CONCLUSIONS

Our large longitudinal study of sleep in cirrhosis suggests that sleep derangements in CHE can be detected using wearable technology. Given the known importance of sleep to overall health and CHE/HE to prognosis in cirrhosis, the ability to associate dynamic sleep metrics with CHE may in the future help with the detection and passive monitoring as factors that precipitate decompensation of cirrhosis become better understood and mobile health data validation and integration improves.

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

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Sleep-wake abnormalities [poor nighttime sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS)] are common in patients with cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of sleep-wake abnormalities and clinical factors associated with these abnormalities in a group of patients with cirrhosis.

METHODS

1098 patients with cirrhosis [Child Turcotte Pugh (CTP) class A, 22.2%; CTP class B, 29.2% and CTP class C, 48.6%], with either no ascites or mild ascites controlled on diuretics, and no history of or current overt hepatic encephalopathy were included in the study.

RESULTS

Poor nighttime sleep and EDS were found in 569 (51.8%) and 489 (44.5%) patients respectively. On multivariate analysis, factors associated with poor nighttime sleep were CTP class C (vs. class A), presence of minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE), intermediate or evening type of diurnal preference category (vs. morning type), high risk for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), diuretic use, presence of major depression, and presence of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Factors associated with EDS on multivariate analysis were CTP class B and C (vs. class A), intermediate or evening type of diurnal preference category (vs. morning type), high risk for OSA, presence of major depression, and presence of GAD.

CONCLUSIONS

Sleep-wake abnormalities are common in patients with cirrhosis. CTP status, diurnal preference chronotype, risk of OSA, major depression and GAD are associated with both poor nighttime sleep and EDS. MHE and diuretic use are associated with poor nighttime sleep, but not with EDS.

Vitamin-D Receptor-Gene Polymorphisms Affect Quality of Life in Patients with Autoimmune Liver Diseases

Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with depressive symptoms and reduced physical functioning. The aim of the study was to characterize the relationship between polymorphisms of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene and the quality of life in patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). Three polymorphisms of the VDR gene (TaqI-rs731236, BsmI-rs1544410, and ApaI-rs7975232) were analyzed in patients with AIH (n = 142) and PBC (n = 230) and in healthy individuals (n = 376). Patient quality of life was assessed by validated questionnaires such as Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 (SF-36), State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Modified Fatigue-Impact Scale (MFIS), Patient-Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), and PBC-40. The TaqI C and ApaI A alleles are risk alleles in both AIH and PBC, and a significant dominance of the A allele in BsmI was observed in AIH patients. In terms of quality of life, the presence of the CC or CT TaqI genotype was associated with emotional reactions, including the fatigue and the cognitive skills of patients with PBC, whereas in the group of AIH patients, homozygotes CC of TaqI, AA of BsmI, and AA of ApaI had worse physical, social, emotional, and mental function. The genetic variations of VDR gene can influence individual susceptibility to develop chronic autoimmune liver diseases such as AIH and PBC and affect quality of life.

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

Background and aim

Melatonin is used to treat sleep disturbances (SDs). The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of low‐dose melatonin for SDs in early‐stage cirrhosis.

Methods

In a single‐center, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, cross‐over clinical trial, patients with early‐stage (Child‐Turcotte‐Pugh [CTP] class A or B) cirrhosis with SDs, without hepatic encephalopathy, were randomized to placebo or 3 mg of melatonin for 2 weeks. After 2 weeks, the patients were given a washout period of 1 week and crossed over to melatonin or placebo for a further 2 weeks. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were used to measure sleep quality and daytime sleepiness, respectively. Analysis of results was based on intention to treat, and linear mixed‐effect models were used to evaluate the effect of melatonin. Analysis was conducted using R‐programming language 3.5.1.

Results

Seventy one patients were recruited (mean age: 61.9 ± 8.7 years, males: 46 [64.8%], and CTP Class A = 52 [73.2%] and Class B = 19 [26.8%]). Sixty patients completed the study (mean age: 61.7 ± 8.8 years, males: 40 [66.6%], and CTP Class A = 45 [75.0%] and Class‐B = 15 [25.0%]). Two patients dropped out due to adverse events. Nine patients were lost to follow up. Patients given melatonin had a significantly lower PSQI and ESS compared to both pretreatment (P < 0.001) and postplacebo scores (P < 0.001). Incidence of adverse events was similar (two each of abdominal pain, one each of headache, one each of dizziness) in both groups.

Conclusion

Melatonin seems safe and effective for use in patients with SDs in early‐stage cirrhosis in the short term. However, larger and longer‐term studies to assess efficacy and safety are required before its clinical use can be recommended.

Assessment and Management of Sleep Disturbance in Cirrhosis

Purpose of Review

This review presents an in-depth overview of the sleep–wake phenotype of patients with cirrhosis, together with available pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment strategies. A set of simple, practical recommendations is also provided.

Recent Findings

The understanding of the pathophysiology of sleep disorders in this patient population has improved over the past decade, especially in relation to the interplay between homeostatic and circadian sleep regulation. In addition, new tools have been utilised for both screening and in-depth investigation of the sleep–wake profile of these patients. Finally, a number of studies have evaluated the efficacy of novel treatment strategies, often with encouraging results.

Summary

Since sleep disturbances are common in patients with cirrhosis, more so than in patients with other chronic diseases of similar severity, their assessment should become routine hepatological practice, along with the initiation of adequate treatment.