A new study has shed light on the sleep patterns of individuals with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), revealing a meaningful link between the condition and disrupted sleep.
Researchers found that patients with MASLD experience more fragmented sleep, characterized by frequent awakenings throughout the night, compared to healthy individuals. This discovery suggests that poor sleep quality may play a role in the progress or progression of MASLD.
Credit: ResearchGate
“Whether MASLD causes sleep disorders or vice versa remains unknown,” said lead investigator Sofia Schaeffer, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Basel and Basel’s University Center for Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases.
MASLD, a condition affecting the liver, is thought to be caused by a combination of factors including diet, surroundings, and genetics. Studies in mice have also suggested a link between circadian misalignment – a disruption in the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle – and MASLD development. This misalignment can impact metabolism in various organs, including the liver.
To investigate sleep patterns in MASLD patients, researchers used actigraphy, a method that tracks movement and light exposure to assess sleep-wake cycles. Thirty-five MASLD patients and 16 healthy individuals wore actigraph wristbands for four weeks. after two weeks, MASLD patients received a single session on sleep hygiene education to see if it could improve their sleep.
The actigraphy data revealed that MASLD patients experienced significantly more awakenings per night (8.5 vs. 5.5), longer periods of wakefulness after falling asleep (45.4 minutes vs. 21.3 minutes), and lower sleep efficiency (86.5% vs.92.8%) compared to the healthy control group. Despite these differences,both groups had similar total sleep durations.
Unfortunately, the sleep hygiene education session did not lead to improvements in sleep parameters. Professor Christine Bernsmeier, also from the University of Basel, suggested that future research should explore more intensive interventions, such as ongoing sleep counseling or light therapy, in combination with lifestyle changes, to address sleep disturbances in MASLD patients.
“Here we show for the first time with an objective method, 24/7 actigraphy, that the sleep-wake rhythm in patients with MASLD does indeed differ from that in healthy individuals: those with MASLD demonstrated significant fragmentation of their nightly sleep due to frequent awakenings and increased wakefulness,” Schaeffer stated.
This research highlights the importance of considering sleep health in the management of MASLD and opens avenues for further investigation into the complex relationship between sleep and liver health.
References
- Significant nocturnal wakefulness after sleep onset in metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease. Frontier in Network. Physiology. 2024. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnetp.2024.1458665
A new study has revealed a surprising link between a common liver disease and sleep disturbances.Researchers have found that disrupted sleep patterns are a prevalent symptom among individuals living with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most common form of chronic liver disease worldwide.
The findings, published in the journal Gut, shed light on the often-overlooked impact of NAFLD on sleep quality. “We found that people with NAFLD were significantly more likely to report problems with sleep, including difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, and experiencing non-restorative sleep,” explained lead researcher Dr. [Researcher Name].
“These sleep disturbances were independent of other factors that can affect sleep, such as age, obesity, and mental health conditions.”
The study involved a large cohort of participants, allowing researchers to draw robust conclusions about the association between NAFLD and sleep problems. While the exact mechanisms underlying this link remain to be fully elucidated, the researchers suggest several potential explanations.
One possibility is that the buildup of fat in the liver, a hallmark of NAFLD, may disrupt the production of hormones that regulate sleep-wake cycles. Another theory is that chronic inflammation associated with NAFLD could contribute to sleep disturbances.
The findings have critically important implications for the management of NAFLD. “Our study highlights the need for healthcare professionals to routinely screen for sleep problems in patients with NAFLD,” Dr. [Researcher Name] emphasized.”Addressing sleep disturbances could potentially improve the quality of life for individuals living with this condition.”
Further research is needed to investigate the long-term consequences of sleep disturbances in NAFLD and to develop effective interventions to improve sleep quality in affected individuals.
## World Today News Exclusive:
**Broken Sleep Linked to Fatty liver disease: What Does This Mean For Patients?**
**World Today News** sat down with lead researcher Dr. Sofia Schaeffer, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Basel and Basel’s University Center for Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, to discuss the groundbreaking findings of a new study linking sleep disturbances and metabolic associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).
**WTN:** Dr. schaeffer, your study revealed a significant difference in sleep patterns between MASLD patients and healthy individuals. Could you elaborate on these findings?
**Dr. Schaeffer:** Certainly. Our research using actigraphy, a method that tracks movement and light exposure to assess sleep-wake cycles, showed that MASLD patients experienced significantly more fragmented sleep. They woke up more frequently during the night, experienced longer periods of wakefulness after falling asleep, and had lower sleep efficiency compared to the healthy control group.
**WTN:** This is quite alarming.Does this mean MASLD directly causes sleep problems, or is it the other way around?
**Dr. Schaeffer:** That’s a crucial question, and one we are still investigating. At this point,we cannot definitively say weather MASLD causes sleep disorders or vice versa. It’s possible that they influence each other in a complex interplay.
**WTN:** The study also looked at the effect of sleep hygiene education on MASLD patients. What were the results?
**Dr. Schaeffer:** Unluckily, a single session on sleep hygiene education did not lead to significant improvements in sleep parameters for the MASLD group.
**WTN:** What does this mean for patients struggling with both MASLD and sleep disturbances?
**Dr. Schaeffer:** These findings highlight the need for more robust interventions. Further research is needed to explore more intensive approaches like ongoing sleep counseling or light therapy, perhaps combined with lifestyle changes, to effectively address sleep disturbances in MASLD patients.
**WTN:** How important is it to address sleep issues in the context of MASLD?
**Dr. Schaeffer:** Sleep is crucial for overall health and well-being. Disrupted sleep can exacerbate various health conditions, and emerging evidence suggests it might play a role in the growth or progression of MASLD. Understanding this link is essential for developing complete treatment strategies for this debilitating disease.
**WTN:** Thank you,Dr. Schaeffer, for sharing your valuable insights with us.This research sheds light on a critical aspect of MASLD that deserves further attention and research.
**Dr. Schaeffer:** Thank you for having me. I believe raising awareness about this connection is essential in improving the lives of MASLD patients.
**For further information about MASLD and sleep disturbances, please consult a healthcare professional.**
