scholarly journals Sleep Medication in Older Adults: Identifying the Need for Support by a Community Pharmacist

Healthcare ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 147
Author(s):  
Morgane Masse ◽  
Héloïse Henry ◽  
Elodie Cuvelier ◽  
Claire Pinçon ◽  
Margot Pavy ◽  
...  

Many older adults take benzodiazepines and sedative-hypnotics for the treatment of sleep disorders. With a view to considering the possible discontinuation of hypnotics, the objectives of the present study were to describe bedtime habits and sleep patterns in older adults and to identify the sleep medications taken. An expert group developed a structured interview guide for assessing the patients’ bedtime habits, sleep patterns, and medications. During an internship in a community pharmacy, 103 sixth-year pharmacy students conducted around 10 interviews each with older adults (aged 65 or over) complaining of sleep disorders and taking at least one of the following medications: benzodiazepines, benzodiazepine derivatives (“Z-drugs”), antihistamines, and melatonin. A prospective, observational study was carried out from 4 January to 30 June 2016. The pharmacy students performed 960 interviews (with 330 men and 630 women; mean ± standard deviation age: 75.1 ± 8.8). The most commonly taken hypnotics were the Z-drugs zolpidem (n = 465, 48%) and zopiclone (n = 259, 27%). The vast majority of patients (n = 768, 80%) had only ever taken a single hypnotic medication. The median [interquartile range] prescription duration was 120 (48–180) months. About 75% (n = 696) of the patients had at least 1 poor sleep habit, and over 41% (n = 374) had 2 or more poor sleep habits. A total of 742 of the patients (77%) reported getting up at night—mainly due to nycturia (n = 481, 51%). Further, 330 of the patients (35%) stated that they were keen to discontinue their medication, of which 96 (29%) authorized the pharmacist to contact their family physician and discuss discontinuation. In France, pharmacy students and supervising community pharmacists can identify problems related to sleep disorders by asking simple questions about the patient’s sleep patterns. Together with family physicians, community pharmacists can encourage patients to discuss their hypnotic medications.

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 350-357
Author(s):  
Rehana Khan Leak ◽  
Susan L. Weiner ◽  
Manisha N. Chandwani ◽  
Diane C. Rhodes

Poor sleep hygiene portends loss of physical and mental stamina. Therefore, maintaining a regular sleep/wake schedule on both weekdays and weekends is highly recommended. However, this advice runs contrary to the habits of university students who sleep late on weekends. Pharmacy students at Duquesne University sit for frequent examinations, typically commencing at 7:30 AM, and they complain about mental fatigue. Here, we tested the central hypothesis that longer sleep durations on both weekdays and weekends are linked to stronger academic performance in men and women. Students in their first professional year were administered three surveys to collect data on sleep habits and factors that might influence sleep, such as roommates, long commute times, and sleep interruptions. Grade point averages (GPAs) were collected from the Dean’s office, with individual permissions from the students. Longer weekend—but not weekday—sleep durations were significantly correlated with higher cumulative GPAs in men and not in women. Women achieved slightly higher cumulative GPAs than men. Students who fell asleep within 15 min of going to bed had higher professional-phase GPAs than those who fell asleep after an hour or more. Our observations cannot establish causal links, but, given the body of prior evidence on the salutary properties of sleep, men may reap more benefit from recovery sleep on weekends. Rather than recommending that students force themselves awake early on weekends in an attempt to maintain a consistent sleep routine, the real-life habits of students should also be given consideration.


1999 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 734-739 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shur-Fen Gau ◽  
Wei-T Suen Soong

Objective: This study investigated the psychiatric comorbidity, personality traits and family history of adolescents with sleep terrors and/or sleepwalking. Method: Thirty students with sleep terrors and/or sleepwalking and 30 classroom controls were selected on the basis of a sleep habit questionnaire. After completing the Junior Eysenck Personality Inventory (JEPI), the 60 subjects were interviewed by the first author with the Chinese-version Kiddie-SADS-E (Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for Children—Epidemiology Version). All subjects and their parents were interviewed for the subjects' sleep habits, sleep disorders, and personality characteristics in the previous year. The case and the control groups were divided based on whether the sleep terrors and/or sleepwalking had occurred in the previous year. There were 21 case and 30 control subjects in the final data analysis. Results: The case group had more psychiatric diagnoses and problems; there were statistically significant differences in overanxious disorder, panic disorder, simple phobia and suicidal thoughts between the two groups. The case group had more sleeptalking and nightmares during the previous year as well as more enuresis in earlier years. From their parents' perspective, the case group was more nervous and pessimistic. The results of the JEPI showed a high neuroticism score in the case group. There was an increased familial occurrence of these two sleep disorders. Conclusions: Adolescents with sleep terrors and sleepwalking were found to have an increased prevalence of other sleep disorders, neurotic traits, and psychiatric disorders and problems. Whereas sleep terrors and sleepwalking in childhood are related primarily to genetic and developmental factors, their persistence and, especially, their onset in adolescence may be related to psychological factors.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rehana Khan Leak ◽  
Susan L. Weiner ◽  
Manisha N. Chandwani ◽  
Diane C. Rhodes

AbstractIntroductionPoor sleep hygiene portends loss of physical and mental stamina. Therefore, maintaining a regular sleep/wake schedule on both weekdays and weekends is highly recommended. However, this advice runs contrary to the habits of university students, who may only experience recovery sleep if they sleep late on weekends. Pharmacy students at Duquesne University sit for frequent examinations, typically commencing at 7:30 AM, and they complain about fatigue. Here, we tested the central hypothesis that longer sleep durations on weekdays and weekends are linked to stronger academic performance in Pharmacy students.MethodsStudents in their first professional year were administered three surveys to collect data on sleep habits and factors that might influence sleep, such as roommates, long commute times, and sleep interruptions. GPAs were collected from the Dean’s office, with permission from the students.ResultsLonger weekend—but not weekday—sleep durations were significantly correlated with higher cumulative GPAs in men and not in women. Women achieved slightly higher cumulative GPAs than men. Students who fell asleep within 15 minutes of going to bed had higher professional-phase GPAs than those who fell asleep after an hour or more.ConclusionOur observations cannot establish causal links, but, given the body of prior evidence on the salutary properties of sleep, men in this cohort may reap benefit from recovery sleep on weekends. Rather than recommending that students force themselves awake early on weekends in an attempt to maintain a consistent sleep routine, the real-life habits of students should be given consideration.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seblewengel Lemma ◽  
Sheila V. Patel ◽  
Yared A. Tarekegn ◽  
Mahlet G. Tadesse ◽  
Yemane Berhane ◽  
...  

Objective. To evaluate sleep habits, sleep patterns, and sleep quality among Ethiopian college students; and to examine associations of poor sleep quality with consumption of caffeinated beverages and other stimulants.Methods. A total of 2,230 undergraduate students completed a self-administered comprehensive questionnaire which gathered information about sleep complaints, sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics,and theuse of caffeinated beverages and khat. We used multivariable logistic regression procedures to estimate odds ratios for the associations of poor sleep quality with sociodemographic and behavioral factors.Results. Overall 52.7% of students were classified as having poor sleep quality (51.8% among males and 56.9% among females). In adjusted multivariate analyses, caffeine consumption (OR=1.55; 95% CI: 1.25–1.92), cigarette smoking (OR=1.68; 95% CI: 1.06–2.63), and khat use (OR=1.72, 95% CI: 1.09–2.71) were all associated with increased odds of long-sleep latency (>30 minutes). Cigarette smoking (OR=1.74; 95% CI: 1.11–2.73) and khat consumption (OR=1.91; 95% CI: 1.22–3.00) were also significantly associated with poor sleep efficiency (<85%), as well as with increased use of sleep medicine.Conclusion. Findings from the present study demonstrate the high prevalence of poor sleep quality and its association with stimulant use among college students. Preventive and educational programs for students should include modules that emphasize the importance of sleep and associated risk factors.


SLEEP ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A389-A390
Author(s):  
F Gu ◽  
C Jungquist ◽  
A Sonia ◽  
L Liu ◽  
E Repasky ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Sleep disturbances are reported to be highly prevalent in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients, but no carefully assessed sleep data exists in patients with HNC undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Methods To objectively assess sleep patterns in this study population, we conducted a pilot study in 15 patients and 13 non-cancer healthy volunteers. Patients wore the wrist Actiwatch Spectrum (Philips Respironics) at week 1, 3, and 6/7 during the 7-week treatment period. Volunteers wore the Actiwatch for one week. We used the Actiware software to calculate sleep parameters. A sleep log was used as a complement to define participants’ bedtime and rise-up time. Any sleep episode scored by the software during daytime was considered as a nap. Results Compared to healthy volunteers, patients had lower overnight sleep efficiency, longer sleep onset latency and more waking time after sleep onset (WASO), indicating more difficulty falling asleep and maintaining sleep. During CRT, patients’ sleep efficiency decreased whereas latency and WASO increased, indicating possible the decrease of sleep quality. Sleep efficiency of &lt;85% has been used previously as a cut-off for poor sleep; based on this criteria, 45% of HNC patients had poor sleep at treatment baseline, compared to 31% in non-cancer volunteers, and this proportion increased to 51% by the end of treatment. Patients had longer napping time: compared to healthy volunteers, the napping time was on average 2 hours longer at baseline, and 3 hours longer at the end of treatment, indicating unhealthy sleep habits of these patients. Conclusion Our data suggested HNC patients had severe sleep disturbances and unhealthy sleep habits, which were aggravated during CRT treatment. Support This study was supported by UL1TR001412-04, a Clinical and Translational Research Award under SUNY-Buffalo.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
May Wathiq Al-Khudhairy ◽  
Sarah M Al-Sufyani ◽  
Hadeel T Al-Otaibi ◽  
Randa A Mahjoub ◽  
Asma H Al-Shehri

Abstract Background: To validate the Arabic translation of the Children’s Sleep Habit Questionnaire and determine the behavioral prevalence of sleep habits amongst school aged children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This prospective cross sectional study involved a Linguistic validation involving 50 bilingual parent participants in each of the Arabic and English Surveys, with a cross sectional pilot involving 1546 parent participants regarding their children’s Sleeping Habits. The Children’s Sleep Habit Questionnaire was distributed via Survey Monkey and subjected to IBM-SPSS statistics. Parents of 1546 school aged children ranging from 3 years to 12 years of age completed the survey.Results: The Total score of all domains ranged between 11 and 70. Mean Score of 35-37 in 11 % of this population. The Children’s Sleep Habit Questionnaire scores were High in comparison to the Owen’s article; greater research is needed to determine the underlying causes of the increased likelihood of sleep disorders.Conclusion: Our findings, especially in sleep anxiety are alarming and warrant for more research to determine underlying causes of the more prevalent sleep disorders (Sleep Anxiety) and any other apparent or possible causes for sleep disturbances amongst children.


SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A65-A66
Author(s):  
Noor Nasseri ◽  
Hanna Lagman ◽  
Katharine Simon ◽  
Jing Zhang ◽  
Sara Mednick

Abstract Introduction Resonant breathing (RB) biofeedback increases rhythmic heart-respiration coherence patterns and has been associated with improved emotional wellbeing, physiological health, and sleep quality (Lehrer et al, 2000). Sleep quality declines with age, which leads to emotion dysregulation, cognitive impairment, and poor physical health (Crowley, 2011). However, limited research has investigated the sleep characteristics of older adults who practice RB-biofeedback. Therefore, our study investigates this population’s sleep characteristics, emotional stability, and physical health. Methods Thirty-one healthy participants (24 Female; M=54.68 years, SD=9.74) who self-identified as RB-biofeedback experts completed a series of online questionnaires assessing history, frequency, and duration of practice, sleep (habits and quality), physical activity (frequency, duration, and intensity), and mood (depression symptoms). They also reported their typical coherence level achieved, which is a numerical composite value associated with the heart rhythm’s uniform sine-wave pattern at approximately .1HZ (McCraty et al., 2010). Results Using bivariate correlations, we found that poor sleep quality was positively correlated with stress (r = .954, p = .001), poor sleep hygiene (r = .591, p &lt; .001), severe sleepiness (r = .518, p = .003), emotion dysregulation (r = .511, p = .004), depressive symptoms (r = .089, p &lt; .001), and negatively correlated with subjective happiness (r = .511, p &lt; .003). Severe sleepiness was negatively correlated with older adults’ enhanced physical fitness (r = .612, p &lt; .001), and poor sleep hygiene was positively correlated with depressive symptoms (r = .503, p = .004). We found no significant correlations between coherence level, mood, physical activity, or sleep measures. Conclusion We found significant associations between healthy sleep habits and emotional wellbeing. Those with better sleep quality and more positive sleep habits also had fewer depression symptoms. Moreover, those categorized as more athletic reported lower levels of severe sleepiness, suggesting that physical activity may be a protective factor for sleep in older adults. We did not find a relation between coherence level and sleep, or physical activity. These null results may be due to the high expertise level of the subject sample. Future studies should compare results to older adults who do not practice RB-biofeedback. Support (if any) Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program


Author(s):  
Ankita Sharma ◽  
Anand Mohan Dixit ◽  
Kiran Krishnappa ◽  
Ruchita Sharma ◽  
S. K. Shukla ◽  
...  

Background: Good quality sleep and adequate amount of sleep are important in order to have better cognitive performance, academic performance and avoid health problems and psychiatric disorders. Sleep disturbance is a distressing and disabling condition that affects many people, and can affect on quality of work and education of students. Thus the aim of the study is to assess and compare the sleep habits of medical and non-medical students in Etawah city.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 200 college students (100 medical and 100 non-medical) using convenience sample size. A self-questionnaire developed based on Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used. Data was analyzed by using SPSS version 23. Mean, standard deviation and t-test is applied for analysis. The Chi square test statistic (χ2) and fisher exact test were used to test the significance of association between various factors.Results: It was observed that mean age of the medical student was 22.8 whereas the mean age of non-medical student was 17.4. Sleep duration of less than 7 hours was seen 60% in medical students and 47% in non-medical students. PSQI score was high in medical students (6.42) in comparison to non-medical students (5.15). A total score of 5 or greater is indicative of poor sleep quality.Conclusions: Despite the numerous studies regarding the subject, students and professionals tend to ignore the sleep disorders and their possible consequences. Proper counselling, better planning and support should be provided to students likely to suffer from sleep disorders.


SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A119-A119
Author(s):  
Alexandria Reynolds ◽  
Madelynn Shell

Abstract Introduction There is considerable research demonstrating poor sleep patterns in college students; however, few studies actually examine sleep stability over a typical undergraduate career. Considering that the transition to college involves significant shifts in independence and potentially creating a foundation of lifelong behavioral patterns, it is important to identify whether these poor sleep patterns change throughout college. Additionally, studies show that shorter sleep duration predicts poorer academic performance. In the current study, it was expected that students would report poor sleep on average, and that poorer sleep would predict worse academic performance. Methods Participants included 27 full-time first-year undergraduate students who completed an online survey every spring for four years to examine sleep habits as part of a larger longitudinal study on the transition to college at a small liberal arts school. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used to assess total sleep time (TST), sleep efficiency, and quality; the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) was used to determine sleepiness. Semester GPA was obtained via college registrar records. Results Repeated measures ANOVAs revealed no differences in participants’ sleep variables (TST, sleep quality, sleep efficiency, and sleepiness) across all four time points. Average TST was 6.85 hours per night, and overall sleep quality (PSQI) was poor (M = 6.12). Mean sleep efficiency was 86.70%; mean ESS score was 5.35. Preliminary analyses revealed no significant differences between GPA values over the course of the four years; sleep factors did not predict GPA. Conclusion Overall, students reported short sleep, poor sleep quality, decent sleep efficiency, and borderline higher than normal daytime sleepiness. However, sleep factors and GPA were stable over all time points. These results suggest that poor sleep habits start early and continue throughout students’ college career, as opposed to developing throughout college, or starting out poor and improving. Surprisingly, preliminary results indicated that sleep factors did not predict academic performance. Limitations include subjective sleep assessments, limited testing, and small sample size; however, this longitudinal study sheds interesting light on the general sleep patterns of college students over the course of their entire academic career. Support (if any) None.


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