Assessing liver disease prevalence in non-obese patients with sleep apnea

Prevalence of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Among Non-obese Obstructive Sleep Apnea by Using Transient Elastography

Observational Chinese University of Hong Kong · NCT05351515

This study is trying to see how common liver disease is in non-obese people who have sleep apnea and if their sleep problems might be causing liver fat buildup.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment1000 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
SponsorChinese University of Hong Kong Academic / other
Locations1 site (Hong Kong)
Trial IDNCT05351515 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to investigate the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among non-obese patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It hypothesizes that the intermittent hypoxia experienced during sleep due to OSA may contribute to liver fat accumulation. By utilizing transient elastography, the study will evaluate the liver condition of participants and explore the relationship between OSA and NAFLD. The findings could provide insights into the metabolic implications of OSA in non-obese individuals.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are non-obese adults aged 18 years or older who have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea.

Not a fit: Patients with underlying liver diseases or those with a history of excessive alcohol consumption may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance understanding of liver health in patients with obstructive sleep apnea, potentially leading to better management strategies.

How similar studies have performed: While the relationship between OSA and liver disease has been explored, this specific approach focusing on non-obese patients is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* aged 18 years or more

Exclusion Criteria:

* underlying cause of liver disease
* history of excessive alcoholic consumption (more than 30 g/day for men and 20 g/day for women)
* secondary causes of hepatic steatosis (such as chronic use of systemic corticosteroids)
* positive hepatitis B surface antigen, anti-hepatitis C virus antibody, or histological evidence of other concomitant chronic liver diseases.

Where this trial is running

Hong Kong

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Sleep Apnea, ObstructiveFatty Liver
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.