New Findings Link Obstructive Sleep Apnea to NASH and Other Liver Conditions
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common and frequently unrecognized disorder. It is often found in patients with obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, and there is growing evidence that sleep apnea is independently associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity. Recent findings are adding an association with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, steatosis, lobular inflammation and advanced stages of fibrosis, according to findings presented at Obesity Week 2014. Dental Sleep Medicine education, instrumentation, and in office training company, Sleep Group Solutions, teams up with dentists to educate, and provide protocols and treatment options for those who suffer. Upcoming dental lecture opportunities include Chicago, San Francisco and Irvine.
The study was conducted from 2010 to 2013, Corey and colleagues studied 213 adults consecutively enrolled for Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy for weight loss to determine the presence of OSA, and assess liver histology. OSA was defined by patient report of positive sleep study or patient use of continuous positive airway pressure. Dental Sleep Medicine expert, Dr. Barry Freydberg comments, “This is an important study. They later compared liver histology between the groups. The nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was defined by the presence of at least grade 1 steatosis not meeting criteria for NASH.” Dr. Freydberg continues, “NASH was defined as lobular inflammation, hepatocyte ballooning and steatosis of at least grade 1; and advanced fibrosis was defined as stage 3 to 4 fibrosis.” Dr. Freydberg mentions the studies next step is said to evaluate OSA treatment on NASH. “The importance of this study suggests the dangers and associations of SA in other areas of the body. Its not only snoring, it’s affecting our vital organs.”
Dr. Barry Freydberg instructs fellow dentists on implementing a proper protocol for treating patients for snoring and sleep apnea. Dentists and hygienists are encouraged to attend the Sleep Group Solutions 2-day lecture. Upcoming course location are listed online.
About Sleep Group Solution
Sleep Group Solutions is an airway diagnostic technology company serving the needs of physicians and dentists interested in screening, diagnosing and treating sleep apnea and other upper airway disorders. Sleep Group Solutions offers the latest screening and diagnostic equipment solutions for patients with allergy, sinus congestion, rhinitis, deviated septum, nasal polyps, snoring and sleep apnea. SGS offers the most comprehensive dental sleep medicine CE seminars in the industry focused on teaching dentists the protocols needed to make the treatment of snoring and sleep apnea part of their practice. Sleep Group Solutions offers sleep study interpretation, oral appliances (Norad Boil & Bite, Respire), online directory 1800SleepLab.com and online marketing for CPAP Intolerant patients. SGS is the manufacturer of the Eccovision Systems Rhinometer and Pharyngometer, and offers Home Sleep Testing devices from Watermark Medical.