Role of Sleep Disturbance in Chronic Hepatitis C Infection.
Chronic infection with the hepatitis C virus (CHC) is associated with physical and mental symptoms including fatigue and depression that adversely affect quality of life. A related complaint, sleep disturbance, has received little attention in the literature, with the exception of sleep changes noted in cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease. We present an overview of studies indicating sleep problems in patients with CHC, with about 60% to 65% of individuals reporting such complaints. Evidence suggests that impairments in sleep quality exist independent of antiviral therapy with interferon-alpha and prior to advanced stages of liver disease. Further investigation of sleep disturbance in CHC patients with a mild stage of liver disease may provide important information on disease course as well as allow additional opportunities for patient support.
Carlson
Meghan D
MD
University of California, San Diego, 210 Dickinson Street, CTF-A Room 109, San Diego, CA 92103-8423 USA.
Hilsabeck
Robin C
RC
Barakat
Fatma
F
Perry
William
W