Sleep disturbances in patients with cirrhosis: Pursuing just right

Abstract

Liver cirrhosis represents the end‐stage of chronic liver disease and is related to high morbidity and mortality. To date, there is no standard curative method for liver cirrhosis, but there is treatment for common complications. Therefore, improving the health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with cirrhosis has become a potential therapeutic intervention by limiting its symptoms and complications. Sleep is a complex and rhythmic physiological process and is crucial to human health. Sleep disturbances are commonly encountered in patients with cirrhosis and adversely affect their HRQoL. Recently, sleep disturbances in patients with cirrhosis have received growing attention owing to their reciprocal effects. To better understand the effect of sleep disturbances on patients with cirrhosis, this review provides a comprehensive summary of the epidemiology and underlying mechanisms of sleep disturbances in cirrhosis. We also elaborate on the mutual relationships between sleep disturbances and other complications, such as muscle cramps, malnutrition, frailty, sarcopenia, HRQoL, and hepatic encephalopathy, in the context of cirrhosis. Finally, we discuss the potential management to improve poor sleep quality in patients with cirrhosis.