Sleep disorder

About: Sleep disorder is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 19380 publications have been published within this topic receiving 884281 citations. The topic is also known as: somnipathy & non-organic sleep disorder.

Criterion validity of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index: Investigation in a non-clinical sample.

Abstract: The objective of this study was to investigate the reliability and validity of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) in a non-clinical sample consisting of younger and older adults. There has been little research validating the PSQI with respect to multinight recording as with actigraphy, and more validation is needed in samples not specifically selected for clinical disturbance. Also, the degree to which the PSQI scores may reflect depressive symptoms versus actual sleep disturbance remains unclear. One-hundred and twelve volunteers (53 younger and 59 older) were screened for their ability to perform treadmill exercises; inclusion was not based on sleep disturbance or depression. Internal homogeneity was evaluated by correlating PSQI component scores with the global score. Global and component scores were correlated with a sleep diary, actigraphy, and centers for epidemiological studies — depression scale scores to investigate criterion validity. Results showed high internal homogeneity. PSQI global score correlated appreciably with sleep diary variables and the depression scale, but not with any actigraphic sleep variables. These results suggest that the PSQI has good internal homogeneity, but may be less reflective of actual sleep parameters than a negative cognitive viewpoint or pessimistic thinking. The sleep complaints measured may often be more indicative of general dissatisfaction than of any specifically sleep-related disturbance.

The apnea-ECG database

Abstract: Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder with a high prevalence in the adult male population. Sleep apnea is regarded as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular sequelae such as ischemic heart attacks and stroke. The diagnosis of sleep apnea requires polysomnographic studies in sleep laboratories with expensive equipment and attending personnel. Sleep apnea can be treated effectively using nasal ventilation therapy (nCPAP). Early recognition and selection of patients with sleep related breathing disorders is an important task. Although it has been suggested that this can be done on the basis of the ECG, careful quantitative studies of the accuracy of such techniques are needed. An annotated database with 70 nighttime ECG recordings has been created to support such studies. The annotations were based on visual scoring of disordered breathing during sleep.

Sleep Problems and Institutionalization of the Elderly

Abstract: This study examined the role of sleep problems in the decisions of families to institutionalize elderly relatives. Previous work on institutionalization of the elderly has given little attention to the contribution of nocturnal, sleep-related problems. Seventy-three primary caregivers of elders recently admitted to a nursing home or psychiatric hospital were asked to identify the problems the elder was having during the night and day and rate the degree to which these influenced their decision to institutionalize the elder. Seventy percent of the caregivers in each sample cited nocturnal problems in their decision to institutionalize, often because their own sleep was disrupted. The most frequent disruptive nocturnal events were micturition, pain, and complaints of sleeplessness. Sleep problems of the elderly contribute heavily to the decision to institutionalize an elder and thus to the social and economic cost of institutional care. They appear to do this largely by interfering with the sleep of caregivers. The nature, prevalence, and treatability of the sleeping problems of both elders and their caregivers need further study.

Sleep Deprivation and Clinical Performance

Abstract: PHYSICIANS’ ABILITY TO PROVIDE high-quality care can be adversely affected by many factors, including sleep deprivation. Concerns about the danger of physicians who are sleep deprived and providing care have led state legislatures and academic institutions to try to constrain the work hours of physicians in training (house staff). Unlike commercial aviation, for example, medicine is an industry in which public safety is directly at risk but does not have mandatory restrictions on work hours. Legislation before the US Congress calls for limiting resident work hours to 80 hours per week and no more than 24 hours of continuous work. Shifts of residents working in the emergency department would be limited to 12 hours. The proposed legislation, which includes public disclosure and civil penalties for hospitals that violate the work hour restrictions, does not address extended duty shifts of attending or private practice physicians. There is still substantial controversy within the medical community about the magnitude and significance of the clinical impairment resulting from work schedules that aggravate sleep deprivation. There is extensive literature on the adverse effects of sleep deprivation in laboratory and nonmedical settings. However, studies on sleep deprivation of physicians performing clinically relevant tasks have been less conclusive. Opinions have been further influenced by the potential adverse impact of reduced work schedules on the economics of health care, on continuity of care, and on quality of care. This review focuses on the consequences of sleep loss both in controlled laboratory environments and in clinical studies involving medical personnel.