In most instances, one negative health issue is accompanied by a mass of others. A perfect example: Those who suffer from sleep apnea, a condition in which one temporarily stops breathing during the night, may be directly at risk for liver problems, a study suggested.

While being overweight goes hand in hand with both conditions, researchers claim sleep apnea may directly cause liver disease; according to the study, overweight people with sleep apnea had a higher risk of disease than those without.

Making a Connection

Researchers examined more than 160 patients with fatty livers -- a clear sign of health trouble -- and found that many of them also suffered from sleep apnea. In fact:

• Severe obstructive sleep apnea was found in 27 percent of the patients.

• Fifty-two percent had moderate obstructive sleep apnea.

• Patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea were more insulin resistant and likely to have liver damage than people of the same weight who didn't have the sleep disorder.

Moreover, aside from liver problems, sleep apnea has been linked to health conditions such as high blood pressure, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome (found to increase heart disease and diabetes risk).

BBC News May 27, 2005

Hepatology June 2005 41(6):1290-6