OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA SYNDROME RISK IN PATIENTS WITH NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE IS ASSOCIATED WITH OBESITY...

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Sleep Medicine
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a prevalent liver condition encompassing a spectrum from simple steatosis to hepatocellular carcinoma.
• NAFLD represents a significant global health burden, necessitating further understanding of associated comorbidities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
• To correlate OSAS risk with demographic, biochemical, and histological features in NAFLD patients.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving individuals with biopsy-proven NAFLD.
• Assessment of anthropometric, biochemical parameters, metabolic syndrome, and insulin resistance.
• Utilized the Berlin Questionnaire (BQ) to evaluate OSAS risk and correlated findings with NAFLD histological severity (NASH, fibrosis).

Main Results:

• Significant differences in BMI, waist, and neck circumference were observed between OSAS risk groups.
• High-risk OSAS patients demonstrated a greater likelihood of having liver fibrosis and NASH.
• Bivariate regression identified BMI, fibrosis, and steatohepatitis as independent predictors of elevated OSAS risk.

Conclusions:

• A high prevalence of OSAS risk was found in the NAFLD cohort.
• Increased BMI and the presence of steatohepatitis are independently associated with a higher risk of OSAS.
• OSAS appears to be a significant factor contributing to the severity of NAFLD.