scholarly journals Sleepless in COVID-19: racial disparities during the pandemic as a consequence of structural inequity

SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Cheng ◽  
Melynda D Casement ◽  
Ruby Cuellar ◽  
Dayna A Johnson ◽  
David Kalmbach ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Racial Disparities ◽  
Minority Stress ◽  
Severity Index ◽  
Prior History ◽  
Clinical Trial Registration ◽  
Related Stress ◽  
Structural Inequities ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Insomnia Severity

Abstract Study Objectives Insomnia has been on the rise during the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, which may disproportionately affect racial minorities. This study characterized racial disparities in insomnia during the pandemic and evaluated mechanisms for such disparities. Methods Participants included 196 adults (48 Black) from a 2016–2017 clinical trial of insomnia treatment who were reevaluated in April 2020. Race was evaluated as a predictor of change in insomnia, impact of COVID-19, and COVID-19 stress. Mediation models using the PRODCLIN method evaluated the extent to which: (1) COVID-19 impact accounted for Black-White disparities in change in insomnia, and (2) COVID-19 stress accounted for associations between discrimination and change in insomnia. Results Increases in insomnia symptoms during COVID-19 were greater in Black compared to White participants, with 4.3 times the odds of severe insomnia (Insomnia Severity Index ≥ 22). Symptom severity was associated with pre-pandemic experiences of discrimination. Black participants were also disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, with twice the odds of irreparable loss of income/employment and four times the rate of COVID-19 diagnoses in their sociofamilial network compared to White participants. The disproportionate impact of COVID-19 accounted for 69.2% of the relationship between race and change in insomnia severity, and COVID-19 related stress accounted for 66.5% of the relationship between prior history of racial discrimination and change in insomnia severity. Conclusions Black-White disparities in insomnia severity during COVID-19 may be driven by structural inequities resulting in the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Black Americans. Results lend support for the minority stress model in the context of sleep health. Clinical Trial Registration Sleep to Prevent Evolving Affecting Disorders (SPREAD). NCT number: NCT02988375. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02988375.

Sleep symptomatology is associated with greater subjective cognitive concerns: Findings from the community-based Healthy Brain Project

SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Nicolazzo ◽  
Katharine Xu ◽  
Alexandra Lavale ◽  
Rachel Buckley ◽  
Nawaf Yassi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Sex Education ◽  
Severity Index ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Psychomotor Function ◽  
Community Based ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Insomnia Severity

Abstract Study objectives To examine if sleep symptomatology was associated with subjective cognitive concerns or objective cognitive performance in a dementia-free community-based sample. Methods A total of 1421 middle-aged participants (mean±standard deviation = 57±7; 77% female) from the Healthy Brain Project completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) to measure sleep quality, insomnia symptom severity, and daytime sleepiness, respectively. Participants were classified as having no sleep symptomatology (normal scores on each sleep measure), moderate sleep symptomatology (abnormal scores on one sleep measure), or high sleep symptomatology (abnormal scores on at least two sleep measures), using established cut-off values. Analysis of covariance was used to compare objective cognitive function (Cogstate Brief Battery) and subjective cognitive concerns (Modified Cognitive Function Instrument) across groups. Results Following adjustments for age, sex, education, mood, and vascular risk factors, persons classified as having high sleep symptomatology, versus none, displayed more subjective cognitive concerns (d=0.24) but no differences in objective cognitive performance (d=0.00-0.18). Subjective cognitive concerns modified the association between sleep symptomatology and psychomotor function. The strength of the relationship between high sleep symptomatology (versus none) and psychomotor function was significantly greater in persons with high as compared with low cognitive concerns (β±SE =-0.37±0.16; p=0.02). Conclusions More severe sleep symptomatology was associated with greater subjective cognitive concerns. Persons reporting high levels of sleep symptomatology may be more likely to display poorer objective cognitive function in the presence of subjective cognitive concerns.

The Relationship Between Smartphone Use, Insomnia, Stress, and Anxiety Among University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
pp. 105477382098316
Author(s):  
Nisreen Al Battashi ◽  
Omar Al Omari ◽  
Murad Sawalha ◽  
Safiya Al Maktoumi ◽  
Ahmed Alsuleitini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Severity Index ◽  
Depression Anxiety Stress Scale ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Insomnia Severity Index ◽  
Stress Scale ◽  
Smartphone Use ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Insomnia Severity

The rapid increase in the number of smartphone users has raised concern about the negative psychosocial and physical effects of this use. A descriptive cross-sectional design was conducted to investigate the relationship between smartphone use, anxiety and insomnia among university students. A convenience sample of 404 students from one public university completed questionnaires with items from the Smartphone Addiction Scale, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale and the Insomnia Severity Index, with some demographic data. High smartphone addition scale score was significantly associated with higher anxiety and stress scores of the Depression Anxiety Stress scale, and higher insomnia severity index score. The findings support the importance of an intervention program to promote appropriate use of smartphones and to improve sleep and psychological symptoms such as stress and anxiety among university students.

Relationship between corneal stiffness parameters and lamina cribrosa curvature in normal tension glaucoma

2020 ◽  
pp. 112067212098252
Author(s):  
Yunxiao Sun ◽  
Yiqin Guo ◽  
Kai Cao ◽  
Yue Zhang ◽  
Yuan Xie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Amplitude Ratio ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Normal Tension Glaucoma ◽  
Lamina Cribrosa ◽  
Clinical Trial Registry ◽  
Clinical Trial Registration ◽  
Curvature Index ◽  
Biomechanical Parameters ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between corneal biomechanical parameters and lamina cribrosa (LC) curvature in normal tension glaucoma (NTG). Methods: 95 eyes of 56 NTG patients were enrolled in this prospective, observational study. Corneal biomechanical parameters, including stiffness parameters at applanation 1 (SP-A1), deformation amplitude ratio (DA ratio), inverse concave radius and biomechanically corrected intraocular pressure estimate (bIOP), were captured using the Corneal Visualization Scheimpflug Technology instrument (Corvis-ST). LC curvature was evaluated by mean adjusted LC curvature index (maLCCI) averaged by the measurements on 12 radial B-scan images obtained using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). Linear mixed models were constructed to assess the relationship between corneal biomechanical parameters and LC curvature. Results: The mean age of participants was 51.04 ± 13.74 years (range, 24–82 years). The SP-A1 and maLCCI were 93.50 ± 13.82 mm Hg/mm and 7.57 ± 1.58, respectively. In univariate and multivariate analysis, SP-A1 ( p < 0.001 and p = 0.001) and age ( p = 0.010 and p = 0.024) were both significantly associated with maLCCI. The LC curvature increased with softer cornea demonstrated by lower SP-A1 and younger eyes. There was no statistical significance interaction between SP-A1 and age ( p = 0.194). Conclusions: The greater posterior LC curvature was associated with lower corneal stiffness parameters and younger eyes in NTG patients. Clinical Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1900021465.

scholarly journals Mental Well-Being (Depression, Loneliness, Insomnia, Daily Life Fatigue) during COVID-19 Related Home-Confinement—A Study from Poland

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (20) ◽  
pp. 7417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrian Bartoszek ◽  
Dariusz Walkowiak ◽  
Agnieszka Bartoszek ◽  
Grzegorz Kardas
Keyword(s):  
Los Angeles ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Severity Index ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Related Stress ◽  
Mental Well Being ◽  
Insomnia Severity

The COVID-19 pandemic is a great threat to both physical and mental health as it may lead to psychological stress connected with an economic crisis, threat of unemployment, or fear of losing family members. Emerging data shows that the general public may be vulnerable to the pandemic-related stress and experience frequently prevalent anxiety. A study involving 471 subjects (85.6% female) was conducted online during the COVID-19 pandemic. We used the following scales: Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Revised University of California, Los Angeles (R-UCLA) Loneliness Scale, and Daily Life Fatigue scale (DLF). Women had higher mean scores of depression, loneliness, and daily life fatigue and more often than males started exercising. Among people professionally active before the pandemic, there were more cases of increased alcohol consumption than among students. No differences in alcohol consumption patterns were found between genders. People living alone had higher scores of loneliness and daily life fatigue compared to those living with someone. Respondents who started taking any new drugs during COVID-19 home confinement had higher outcomes in all questionnaires. During home confinement, high scores of depression, insomnia, loneliness, and everyday fatigue were observed.

scholarly journals DYADIC FACTORS THAT ASSOCIATE WITH INSOMNIA IN CAREGIVERS OF PERSONS LIVING WITH DEMENTIA

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S367-S367
Author(s):  
Glenna S Brewster ◽  
Donald Bliwise ◽  
Fayron Epps ◽  
Kate Yeager ◽  
Ken Hepburn
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Linear Regression ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Severity Index ◽  
Caregiver Depression ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Independent Variables ◽  
Disturbed Sleep ◽  
Baseline Component ◽  
Insomnia Severity

Abstract Insomnia is prevalent in caregivers of persons living with dementia (PLWD); however, more research is needed to identify which dyadic factors most impact caregiver sleep. This study aimed to identify the factors associated with caregiver insomnia in the baseline component of a randomized clinical trial. A linear regression was conducted with caregiver variables (e.g., depression), and PLWD variables (e.g., disruptive nighttime behaviors) as independent variables in relation to insomnia, as assessed with Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Caregivers (n=49) were on average 63 years, mostly female (65.3%), White (69.4%), and spouses (65.3%). Mean ISI was 6.8, indicating mild-to-moderately disturbed sleep. Multiple linear regression (F(11,32) = 13.4, p&lt;.001) showed that both caregiver-based measures (depression, p&lt;.023) and PLWD-based measures (disruptive nighttime behaviors, p&lt;.001) were independently associated with ISI. Ideas about needed multicomponent dyadic interventions which target both PLWD nighttime behaviors, caregiver depression, and sleep disturbances will be discussed.

scholarly journals Bedtime Procrastination as a Mediator in the Relationship Between Active Emotion Regulation Strategies and Insomnia

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 175-181
Author(s):  
Goeun Kim ◽  
Huisu Jeon ◽  
Sooyeon Suh
Keyword(s):  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Emotional Regulation ◽  
Severity Index ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Emotion Regulation Strategies ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Regulation Strategies ◽  
Bedtime Procrastination ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Insomnia Severity

Objectives: Bedtime procrastination (BP) is defined as the behavior of voluntarily postponing bedtime without having external reasons for doing so. According to previous studies, people with reduced use of active emotion regulation strategies may use BP to cope with negative emotions. However, research about the relationship among active emotional regulation strategies, BP, and insomnia is lacking. This study aimed to investigate the mediating effect of BP between active emotional regulation strategies and insomnia severity.Methods: In total, 597 adults (female, 81.9%; mean age, 23.18±2.80 years) completed the Emotional Regulation Strategies Checklist, Insomnia Severity Index, and Bedtime Procrastination Scale.Results: There was a significant association between active emotional regulation strategies and BP (r=-0.152, p<0.01), between BP and insomnia severity (r=0.259, p<0.01), and between active emotional regulation strategies and insomnia severity (r=-0.128, p<0.01). BP significantly mediated the relationship between active emotional regulation strategies and insomnia severity (B=-0.024; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.04 to -0.01).Conclusions: BP may be considered in the relationship between active emotional regulation strategies and insomnia severity. Understanding the mediating role of BP may help prevent insomnia.

scholarly journals The Hazardous Workplace, Work-related Stress, and Unhealthy Behaviors among Healthcare Workers: The Relationships with Depressive and Insomnia symptoms during COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ju Kab Lee ◽  
Hyuk Joo Lee ◽  
Yujin Hong ◽  
Yong Wook Shin ◽  
Seockhoon Chung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Severity Index ◽  
Coping Behaviors ◽  
Work Related Stress ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Patient Health ◽  
Related Stress ◽  
The Relationship

We aimed to investigate the relationship between mental health problems and unhealthy behaviors among healthcare workers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Using an online survey, we collected data on healthcare workers’ consideration of their work unit as hazardous. Furthermore, workers’ depression, insomnia, and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Insomnia Severity Index, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale, respectively. Healthcare workers’ work-related stress and anxiety in response to the viral epidemic were measured using the Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemic - 9 (SAVE-9) scale. As a result, work-related stress and anxiety in response to the viral epidemic was related to being female, to regarding one's work as a dangerous workplace, and depressive symptoms. Unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking and drinking as coping behaviors during the pandemic, were related to being male, young, experiencing depression, and having insomnia. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to closely observe the patterns of work-related stress and anxiety reactions among healthcare workers to reduce their burnout.

scholarly journals Relationship between electrodiagnostic findings and sleep disturbance in carpal tunnel syndrome: A controlled objective and subjective study

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 030006051986267
Author(s):  
Guy Rubin ◽  
Hagay Orbach ◽  
Micha Rinott ◽  
Nimrod Rozen
Keyword(s):  
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Carpal Tunnel ◽  
Severity Index ◽  
Spearman Correlation ◽  
Sleep Log ◽  
Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Subjective Study ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Insomnia Severity ◽  
Sensory Latency

Objective This controlled objective and subjective study aimed to evaluate the relationship between insomnia severity and electrodiagnostic findings in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Methods Twenty-one patients with an established clinical and electrodiagnostic diagnosis of CTS before surgery were included. Sleep characteristics were monitored objectively over 4 to 9 nights by means of actigraphy. On the following morning, participants completed a sleep log that conveyed their subjective impressions of how they had slept. All patients also completed the Insomnia Severity Index questionnaire. The correlation of these findings with patients’ motor latency and sensory latency was evaluated using Spearman correlation analysis. Results We found no correlation between sensory or motor latencies and all sleep measures. Conclusion Electrodiagnostic findings and sleep severity in patients with CTS appear to be independent measures, and they do not correlate with each other.

scholarly journals 0157 The Relationship Between Reaction Time, Insomnia Severity, Sleepiness, and Dysfunctional Beliefs About Sleep

SLEEP ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A62-A62
Author(s):  
A M Gencarelli ◽  
T Zurlinden ◽  
A Nicoletta ◽  
A Winters ◽  
A Sorrell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reaction Time ◽  
Severity Index ◽  
Vigilance Task ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Dysfunctional Beliefs ◽  
Stimulus Interval ◽  
Delay Times ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Insomnia Severity ◽  
Dysfunctional Beliefs About Sleep

Abstract Introduction Poor sleep quality has adverse effects ranging from decreased focus to increased work-related injuries. The Perceptual Vigilance Task (PVT), a measure of reaction time (RT) used to assess alertness is commonly used in sleep research. This study focuses on the relationship between dysfunctional sleep-related cognitions (Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes About Sleep Scale [DBAS]), insomnia severity (Insomnia Severity Index [ISI]), and sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale [ESS]) and their association to PVT RT. Methods 162 participants were recruited from East Carolina University. Inclusion criteria: right-handed adults; exclusion criteria: history of brain injury, seizure disorder, or vision impairment. Age range 18–39 (M = 20.15; SD = 3.01); 81 (49.1%) females. Results ISI was correlated with PVT RT for inter-stimulus interval delay times of 1000ms r(162) = .155, p =.05, 2000ms r(162) = .204, p = .009, 5000ms r(162) =.164, p = .04, and 6000ms r(162) = .181, p = .02. DBAS was correlated with PVT RT for delay times of 2000ms r(162) = .204, p =.021, 3000ms r(162) = .160, p = .04, 4000ms r(162) = .170, p = .03, 6000ms r(162) = .171, p = .030, 7000ms r(162) = .219, p =.005, and 8000ms r(162) = .158 p = .045. ESS was not correlated with PVT. A regression was calculated to predict reaction time at 7000ms delay based on the DBAS (F(1,151) = 2.51, p = .01), with an R2 of .12. Conclusion There is a diminishing association found between insomnia severity and RT during inter-stimulus delay times (&gt;6000ms). Dysfunctional beliefs about sleep correlate with RT through 8000ms delay, eventually predicting RT. Regardless of severity of sleep disturbance, sleep-related bias may affect subjective feelings of wakefulness and objective levels of alertness (e.g., one who believes they are not obtaining sufficient sleep may act accordingly). Support N/A

scholarly journals Comparison of length limits and the actual length of abstracts in pharmacology, oncology, and neurology journals listed in PubMed

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-46
Author(s):  
Eungi Kim ◽  
Yong-Gu Lee
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Word Length ◽  
Trial Registration ◽  
Clinical Trial Registration ◽  
Actual Length ◽  
Full Extent ◽  
Subject Areas ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Scimago Journal Rank

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the length limits specified in the author guidelines with the actual length of abstracts in 90 journals in the fields of pharmacology, oncology, and neurology. Specifically, the following parameters were examined: abstract formats among the three subject areas; the relationship between the length limit and the actual length of abstracts; and actual abstract length according to the number of subheadings, the length of structured abstract subheadings, the length of frequently used subheading sets, and clinical trial registration information.Methods: Thirty journals from each of three medical fields (pharmacology, oncology, and neurology) were selected from Elsevier’s Scimago Journal Rank. This included the journals indexed in PubMed from 2018 to 2019 that published the most articles. Article abstracts from these journals were used to create a dataset for this study. Descriptive, comparative, and correlational analyses of data for the three fields were conducted.Results: The number of subheadings and abstract length increased in parallel. The Results component was the longest, suggesting that authors tended to use longer text to report results than for other structural abstract components. Authors generally utilized the length limit to a full extent without exceeding it.Conclusion: The traditionally used 250-word length limit should be reconsidered for pharmacology, oncology, and neurology journals because it disregards the distinctive characteristics of abstracts and length differences between structured and unstructured abstracts. Various characteristics of abstract lengths presented in this study should be considered to establish more justifiable policies.

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