Sleep disturbance and anxiety symptoms among asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers in Shanghai, China: the mediating role of entrapment and defeat.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic increases the risk of psychological problems, especially for the infected population. Sleep disturbance and feelings of defeat and entrapment are well-documented risk factors of anxiety symptoms. Exploring the psychological mechanism of the development of anxiety symptoms is essential for effective prevention. This study aimed to examine the mediating effects of entrapment and defeat in the association between sleep disturbance and anxiety symptoms among asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers in Shanghai, China. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April, 2022. Participants were 1,283 asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers enrolled from the Ruijin Jiahe Fangcang Shelter Hospital, Shanghai (59.6% male; mean age = 39.6 years). Questionnaire measures of sleep disturbance, entrapment, defeat, anxiety symptoms, and background characteristics were obtained. A mediation model was constructed to test the mediating effects of entrapment and defeat in the association between sleep disturbance and anxiety symptoms. RESULTS: The prevalence rates of sleep disturbance and anxiety symptoms were 34.3% and 18.8%. Sleep disturbance was positively associated with anxiety symptoms (OR [95%CI] = 5.013 [3.721-6.753]). The relationship between sleep disturbance and anxiety symptoms (total effect: Std. Estimate = 0.509) was partially mediated by entrapment (indirect effect: Std. Estimate = 0.129) and defeat (indirect effect: Std. Estimate = 0.126). The mediating effect of entrapment and defeat accounted for 50.3% of the association between sleep disturbance and anxiety symptoms. CONCLUSION: Sleep disturbance and anxiety symptoms were prevalent among asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers. Entrapment and defeat mediate the association between sleep disturbance and anxiety symptoms. More attention is needed to monitoring sleep conditions and feelings of defeat and entrapment to reduce the risk of anxiety.

Sleep Health amongst Patients Attending Adult Neurology Clinic in Abakaliki, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Sleep health indicates how well an individual or population sleeps. Good sleep health is characterized by subjective satisfaction, sustained alertness during waking hours, appropriate timing, high efficiency, and adequate duration. Poor sleep health is associated with many short-term and long-term health consequences. There are limited data on the pattern of sleep health in Nigeria. Against this backdrop, we embarked on this study to determine the Pattern of Sleep Health among patients attending the Adult Neurology clinic in a Federal Teaching Hospital, in Abakaliki, Nigeria. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional observational hospital-based study undertaken at the Adult Neurology clinic of the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Nigeria from July to September 2022. RESULTS: Out of the 267 patients recruited for the study, 19% had good sleep health with SATED scores of 8 to 10 while 81% had poor sleep health. The absence of alcohol abuse, cigarette smoking, and neurological diagnosis were statistically associated with poor sleep health with no sex and age predilection. The mean sleep duration was 7.5± 1.5 hours (male = 7.6 hours, female = 7.3 hours, 18- 64 years= 7.4 hours, ≥ 65 years =7.9 hours). Timing of sleep (mean= 0.97) was the least rated while sleep satisfaction (mean= 1.54) was the best-rated sleep dimension. CONCLUSION: Sleep health is very poor amongst patients attending the adult Neurology clinic at Abakaliki Nigeria and it is associated with smoking, absence of alcohol abuse, and neurological diagnosis. CONTEXTE: La santé du sommeil indique à quel point un individu ou une population dort. Une bonne santé du sommeil se caractérise par une satisfaction subjective, une vigilance soutenue pendant les heures d'éveil, un timing approprié, une efficacité élevée et une durée adéquate. Une mauvaise santé du sommeil est associée à de nombreuses conséquences sanitaires à court et à long terme. Il existe des données limitées sur le schéma de santé du sommeil au Nigéria. Dans ce contexte, nous avons entrepris cette étude pour déterminer le schéma de santé du sommeil parmi les patients fréquentant la clinique de neurologie pour adultes dans un hôpital d'enseignement fédéral à Abakaliki, Nigeria. MÉTHODES: Il s'agissait d'une étude observationnelle transversale réalisée à la clinique de neurologie pour adultes de l'hôpital universitaire fédéral Alex Ekwueme àAbakaliki, Nigeria, de juillet à septembre 2022. RÉSULTATS: Sur les 267 patients recrutés pour l'étude, 19 % avaient une bonne santé du sommeil avec des scores SATED de 8 à 10, tandis que 81 % avaient une mauvaise santé du sommeil. L'absence d'abus d'alcool, de tabagisme et de diagnostic neurologique était statistiquement associée à une mauvaise santé du sommeil, sans prédilection pour le sexe et l'âge. La durée moyenne du sommeil était de 7,5 ± 1,5 heures (homme = 7,6 heures, femme = 7,3 heures, 18-64 ans = 7,4 heures, ≥ 65 ans = 7,9 heures). Le timing du sommeil (moyenne = 0,97) était la dimension la moins bien notée, tandis que la satisfaction du sommeil (moyenne = 1,54) était la dimension la mieux notée. CONCLUSION: La santé du sommeil est très mauvaise chez les patients fréquentant la clinique de neurologie pour adultes à Abakaliki, au Nigéria, et elle est associée au tabagisme, à l'absence d'abus d'alcool et au diagnostic neurologique. Mots-clés: :Santé du sommeil, Clinique de neurologie,Abakaliki, Nigeria.

Profiles of sleep changes during the COVID-19 pandemic: Demographic, behavioural and psychological factors.

This study aimed to evaluate changes in sleep during the COVID-19 outbreak, and used data-driven approaches to identify distinct profiles of changes in sleep-related behaviours. Demographic, behavioural and psychological factors associated with sleep changes were also investigated. An online population survey assessing sleep and mental health was distributed between 3 April and 24 June 2020. Retrospective questions were used to estimate temporal changes from before to during the outbreak. In 5,525 Canadian respondents (67.1% females, 16-95 years old: Mean ± SD = 55.6 ± 16.3 years), wake-up times were significantly delayed relative to pre-outbreak estimates (p < .001, ηp2  = 0.04). Occurrences of clinically meaningful sleep difficulties significantly increased from 36.0% before the outbreak to 50.5% during the outbreak (all p < .001, g ≥ 0.27). Three subgroups with distinct profiles of changes in sleep behaviours were identified: "Reduced Time in Bed", "Delayed Sleep" and "Extended Time in Bed". The "Reduced Time in Bed" and "Delayed Sleep" subgroups had more adverse sleep outcomes and psychological changes during the outbreak. The emergence of new sleep difficulties was independently associated with female sex, chronic illnesses, being employed, family responsibilities, earlier wake-up times, higher stress levels, as well as heavier alcohol use and television exposure. The heterogeneity of sleep changes in response to the pandemic highlights the need for tailored interventions to address sleep problems.

Acetaminophen use in pregnancy: Examining prevalence, timing, and indication of use in a prospective birth cohort.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies of prenatal acetaminophen use have not addressed what indications and maternal co-factors describe acetaminophen use. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe these parameters in a well-characterised, prospective birth cohort. METHODS: Data were drawn from the MotherToBaby study of pregnant women enrolled from 2004 to 2018. Daily acetaminophen diaries were calculated for all exposed women with complete dose and duration information. Descriptive statistics were used to assess maternal characteristics associated with acetaminophen use. Prevalence by 2-year interval was described, and linear regression was used to test for trend. Indication of use and dose per indication were summarised. RESULTS: Of 2441 subjects, 1515 (62%) reported use of acetaminophen. Over the 15-year period, there was a decline in use of 2.5% for each 2-year period (test for trend = 0.001) with 58% reporting acetaminophen use in 2017-2018. Among women with acetaminophen use in pregnancy (n = 1515), 58% reported <10 days of use, 13% reported 10-19 days of use, 9% reported 20-44 days of use, and 9% reported 45 or more days of use. Twelve per cent had undefined duration of use. Increasing duration of exposure was associated with tobacco use, obesity, self-reported depression or anxiety, and antidepressant use. The most frequently reported indication was headache, however, indication varied by duration of use, with more women reporting use for sleep or pain/injury in the categories with the longest duration of use. Median dose per exposed day was highest among those reporting use for sleep, and higher doses were more frequently reported for arthritis, injury, and pain. CONCLUSION: Acetaminophen is used by the majority of pregnant women, and some continue to use for many weeks in pregnancy. Given the heterogeneity in duration of use, indication, and dose, studies that estimate the risk of adverse outcomes associated with acetaminophen must carefully consider these factors.

[The effects of quarantine for SARS-CoV-2 on sleep: An online survey]. / Les effets de confinement SARS-CoV-2 sur le sommeil : enquête en ligne au cours de la quatrième semaine de confinement.

OBJECTIVES: Explore the evolution of sleep during the SARS-CoV-2 quarantine period and define associated factors. METHODS: An online survey of patients in quarantine. Questions targeted the conditions of quarantine, sleep related behaviours and exposure to factors known to affect sleep and circadian rhythms (light exposure and sport). RESULTS: In all, 1777 participants were included: 77% women and 72% aged 25-54 years. Quarantine conditions were most frequently in couples with children (36%) and in a house with a garden (51%). Forty-seven percent of participants reported a decrease in sleep quality during quarantine. Factors associated with a reduction in sleep quality by logistic regression were sleep reduction (OR 15.52 P<0.001), going to bed later (OR 1.72 P<0.001), getting up earlier (2.18 P=0.01), an increase in sleep-wake irregularity (OR 2.29 P<0.001), reduced exposure to daylight (OR 1.46 P=0.01) and increased screen use in the evenings (OR 1.33 P=0.04). CONCLUSION: Sleep quality tended to reduce during quarantine and this was associated with changes in sleep behaviours and light exposure, especially in the evening. In order to optimise sleep during quarantine, regular sleep and wake times, at least 1hour exposure to daylight and a reduction of screen use in the evenings are suggested.

Parent-child co-sleeping in children with co-morbid conditions and sleep-disordered breathing.

PURPOSE: Co-sleeping is common in children with co-morbid conditions. The aim of the study was to analyze the prevalence and determinants of parent-child co-sleeping in children with co-morbid conditions and sleep-disordered breathing and the impact on parental sleep. METHODS: Parents of consecutive children undergoing a sleep study filled in a questionnaire on co-sleeping. RESULTS: The parents of 166 children (80 boys, median age 5.7 years (0.5-21) participated in this study. The most common co-morbid conditions of the children were Down syndrome (17%), achondroplasia (11%), and Chiari malformation (8%). The prevalence of parent-child co-sleeping was 46%. Reasons for co-sleeping were mainly reactive and included child's demand (39%), crying (19%), nightmares (13%), medical reason (34%), parental reassuring or comforting (27%), and/or over-crowding (21%). Sixty-eight percent of parents reported that co-sleeping improved their sleep quality because of reassurance/comforting (67%), reduced nocturnal awakening (23%), and child supervision (44%). Forty percent of parents reported that co-sleeping decreased their sleep quality because of nocturnal awakenings or early wake up, or difficulties initiating sleep (by 77% and 52% of parents, respectively), whereas both positive and negative associations were reported by 29% of the parents. Co-sleeping was more common with children < 2 years of age as compared to older children (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Parent-child co-sleeping is common in children with co-morbid conditions and sleep-disordered breathing. Co-sleeping was mainly reactive and had both positive and negative associations with parental sleep quality. Co-sleeping should be discussed on an individual basis with the parents in order to improve the sleep quality of the family.

Co-sleeping in school-aged children with a motor disability: a comparative population-based study.

AIM: To determine the prevalence and determinants of co-sleeping in school-aged children with a motor disability compared with the school-aged general population. METHOD: A questionnaire on demographic characteristics and co-sleeping habits, along with the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC), was sent to parents of children aged between 4 years and 18 years followed in our tertiary paediatric neurorehabilitation clinic, and to school-aged children in a representative sample of state schools. RESULT: We analysed responses for 245 children with motor disability (142 males, 103 females; mean age 10y 6mo, standard deviation [SD] 3y 10mo, range 4-18y) and 2891 of the general population (1484 males, 1497 females; mean age [SD] 9y 6mo [3y 5mo], range 4-18y) (response rates 37% and 26% respectively). Cerebral palsy was the most common diagnosis among children with motor disability. Weekly co-sleeping was significantly more common in children with motor disability than in the general population (11.8% vs 7.9% respectively, p=0.032). Special care of the child with motor disability at night, mainly addressing epilepsy, was reported as a cause of co-sleeping by two-thirds of parents. Factors associated with co-sleeping in the motor disability group were age, housing crowding, severe visual impairment, and pathological sleep according to the SDSC. INTERPRETATION: Co-sleeping is common among children with motor disability. It is influenced by personal and medical factors, as well as the requirements for special care at night. Therefore, health professionals should explore sleeping arrangements in families of children with motor disability.

Psychosocial factors at work and sleep problems: a longitudinal study of the general working population in Norway.

PURPOSE: A growing number of longitudinal studies report associations between adverse psychosocial factors at work and sleep problems. However, the evidence regarding the direction of these associations and the effects of changes in exposure across time is limited. This study examined the plausibility of normal, reverse, and reciprocal associations between ten psychosocial factors at work and sleep problems. In addition, we analyzed if reduced exposure across time had the anticipated result of reducing the risk of sleep problems. METHODS: Randomly drawn from the general working-age population, the cohort comprised respondents with an active employee relationship in 2009 and 2013 (N = 5760). Exposures and outcome were measured on two occasions separated by 4 years. We computed several sex-stratified logistic regression models with adjustments for various plausible confounders. RESULTS: We found support for the commonly hypothesized unidirectional forward associations between psychosocial factors at work and sleep problems among women only. Among men, psychosocial stressors at work and sleep problems were reciprocally and reversely related. Nevertheless, reduced exposure levels across time pertaining to effort-reward imbalance (OR = 0.36; 95% CI = 0.19-0.69) and lack of social support (OR = 0.55; 95% CI = 0.32-0.93) among men, and work-family imbalance (OR = 0.26; 95% CI = 0.15-0.46) among women were associated with a robust significant lower risk of sleep problems compared to those in the stable high exposure groups. CONCLUSIONS: The study results suggest that preventive measures targeting effort-reward imbalance and lack of social support among men, and work-family imbalance among women, might contribute to reduce the risk of troubled sleep among employees.

The Efficacy of Earplugs as a Sleep Hygiene Strategy for Reducing Delirium in the ICU: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: A systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of earplugs as an ICU strategy for reducing delirium. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of controlled trials were searched using the terms "intensive care," "critical care," "earplugs," "sleep," "sleep disorders," and "delirium." STUDY SELECTION: Intervention studies (randomized or nonrandomized) assessing the efficacy of earplugs as a sleep hygiene strategy in patients admitted to a critical care environment were included. Studies were excluded if they included only healthy volunteers, did not report any outcomes of interest, did not contain an intervention group of interest, were crossover studies, or were only published in abstract form. DATA EXTRACTION: Nine studies published between 2009 and 2015, including 1,455 participants, fulfilled the eligibility criteria and were included in the systematic review. Studies included earplugs as an isolated intervention (n = 3), or as part of a bundle with eye shades (n = 2), or earplugs, eye shades, and additional sleep noise abatement strategies (n = 4). The risk of bias was high for all studies. DATA SYNTHESIS: Five studies comprising 832 participants reported incident delirium. Earplug placement was associated with a relative risk of delirium of 0.59 (95% CI, 0.44-0.78) and no significant heterogeneity between the studies (I, 39%; p = 0.16). Hospital mortality was reported in four studies (n = 481) and was associated with a relative risk of 0.77 (95% CI, 0.54-1.11; I, 0%; p < 0.001). Compliance with the placement of earplugs was reported in six studies (n = 681). The mean per-patient noncompliance was 13.1% (95% CI, 7.8-25.4) of those assigned to receive earplugs. CONCLUSIONS: Placement of earplugs in patients admitted to the ICU, either in isolation or as part of a bundle of sleep hygiene improvement, is associated with a significant reduction in risk of delirium. The potential effect of cointerventions and the optimal strategy for improving sleep hygiene and associated effect on patient-centered outcomes remains uncertain.

Sleep and the Housing and Neighborhood Environment of Urban Latino Adults Living in Low-Income Housing: The AHOME Study.

Sleep is implicated in the risk of many chronic diseases; however, little is known about the living conditions that influence sleep. In this study of 371 low-income Latino residents, household crowding was associated with reduced odds of long sleep duration relative to average and short sleep duration. Neighborhood disorder and perceived building problems were associated with more sleep disturbances and poor sleep quality. Building problems were associated with prolonged sleep latency. There was a significant cumulative effect of adverse housing and neighborhood conditions on sleep outcomes. These results show that adverse conditions of both the housing and neighborhood environments are associated with poor sleep outcomes.

Prevalence of cramps in patients over the age of 60 in primary care : a cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Cramps are involuntary painful muscle contractions that mainly affect older people. Cramps may cause severe pain and sleep disturbance. Little information exists on the prevalence and the main features of cramps in primary care settings. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence and the main features of cramps among primary care patients aged 60 years and older. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 516 patients aged 60 years and older in a cross-sectional study at 25 general practices in Alsace - France between October 2011 and March 2012. Questionnaires were used to obtain information about demographics, cramp presence and main features, medical history, and treatment. RESULTS: The adjusted prevalence was 46 % (95 % CI: 38-53 %). Thirty-one per cent of the study sample reported being woken up by cramps, 15 % had cramps more than 3 times a month. Logistic regression revealed a slightly higher prevalence in the age group 65-69 years compared to 60-64 years. No significant association was observed between other age groups and prevalence, or between gender and prevalence. The main localization of cramps was in the calves (80 %). The duration since onset was 5 years or more for 58 %. CONCLUSIONS: Cramps are common in primary care, and although only a minority of patients report suffering from cramps more than once a week, many patients report cramp-related sleep disturbance. Further studies are needed to assess risk factors and therapeutic options for patients suffering from cramps in primary care.

School Start Time and Adolescent Sleep Patterns: Results From the U.S. National Comorbidity Survey--Adolescent Supplement.

OBJECTIVES: We estimated associations between school start time and adolescent weeknight bedtime, weeknight sleep duration, and weekend compensatory sleep and assessed whether associations differ by age, sex, or urbanicity. METHODS: We used a subsample of a nationally representative, cross-sectional survey of 7308 students aged 13 to 18 years attending 245 schools to estimate associations of school start time, reported by school principals, with weeknight bedtime and sleep duration and weekend compensatory sleep, reported during adolescent face-to-face interviews. RESULTS: Start time was positively associated with weeknight bedtime. Associations between start time and weeknight sleep duration were nonlinear and were strongest for start times of 8:00 am and earlier. Associations differed by sex and urbanicity, with the strongest association among boys in major metropolitan counties. Start time was negatively associated with sleep duration among boys in nonurban counties. Start time was not associated with weekend compensatory sleep. CONCLUSIONS: Positive overall associations between school start time and adolescent sleep duration at the national level support recent policy recommendations for delaying school start times. However, the impact of start time delays may differ by sex and urbanicity.

Cardiovascular comorbidities in obstructive sleep apnoea according to age: a sleep clinic population study.

PURPOSE: To describe the features of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and its association with arterial hypertension (HT), coronary artery disease (CAD), and arrhythmias in elderly (≥65 years) versus younger patients. METHODS: All adult patients referred to our Sleep Research Unit for suspected OSA were included and underwent a thorough medical examination and an in-laboratory polysomnography. The severity of OSA was defined by the apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) as mild [5-15/h), moderate [15-30/h), and severe (≥30/h). RESULTS: Elderly patients (n = 136) and really old patients (>75 years) had higher prevalence of OSA (89 %) and severe OSA (36.8 %) as compared to younger patients (n = 439; 79.5 and 27.6 %, respectively, p < 0.05). In patients with OSA, the elderly group had a poorer sleep quality and more severe nocturnal oxygen desaturation than the younger group. Elderly patients presented higher percentages of HT (47.8 %), CAD (19.8 %), and arrhythmias (16.2 %) as compared to younger patients (p < 0.01). The odds ratio (OR) for HT increased with OSA severity from 1.0 to 1.65 (95 % confidence interval 0.83-3.27), 1.0 to 2.5 (95 % CI 1.25-5.00), and 1.0 to 3.77 (1.95-7.29) in younger patients, but not in elderly ones where the OR increased from 1.0 to 0.6 (0.17-2.04), 1.0 to 1.14 (0.34-3.82), and 1.0 to 1.46 (0.46-4.63), respectively. CONCLUSION: Stronger relation of HT and OSA severity in younger patients should encourage us to screen OSA in these patients at very young age. Increased OSA severity without obesity in very old patients needs to be confirmed and further studied.

Sleep complaints and incident disability in a community-based cohort study of older persons.

OBJECTIVE: Sleep complaints are associated with adverse health consequences. We hypothesized that non-disabled older persons with more sleep complaints have an increased risk of developing disability. METHODS: Subjects included 908 older clergy participating in the Religious Order Study without clinical dementia, history of stroke, or Parkinson disease. At baseline, participants rated their difficulty falling asleep, frequency of nocturnal awakenings, sleep efficacy, and napping frequency, from which a summary dyssomnia measure was derived. Self-report assessment of disability included instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), basic activities of daily living (ADLs), and Rosow-Breslau mobility disability at baseline and at annual evaluations. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 9.6 (SD: 4.2) years. At baseline, more than 60% had one or more sleep complaints. In a series of Cox proportional hazards models controlling for age, sex, and education, a one-point higher dyssomnia score at baseline was associated with about 20% increased risk of IADL disability (hazard ratio: 1.20; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-1.39; χ(2)1 = 7.62; p <0.05), about 27% increased risk of ADL disability (hazard ratio: 1.27; 95% CI: 1.10-1.47; χ(2)1 = 12.15; p <0.01), and about 27% increased risk of mobility disability (hazard ratio: 1.27; 95% CI: 1.09-1.48; χ(2)1 = 11.04; p <0.01). These associations did not vary by age, sex, or education and remained significant after controlling for potential confounders including body mass index, chronic medical conditions, and several common medications. Controlling for depressive symptoms attenuated the association between sleep complaints and incident IADL and ADL disabilities but the association between sleep complaints and incident mobility disability remained significant. CONCLUSION: Non-disabled older adults with more sleep complaints have an increased risk of developing disability.

Racial and Ethnic Trajectories of Sleep Disturbances: Variations by Age and Cohort.

BACKGROUND: The racial and ethnic differences in trajectories of sleep disturbances in later life are crucial for addressing health disparities, but are not well understood. This study examines (a) how trajectories of sleep disturbances vary by race and ethnicity and birth cohort and (b) whether social and health risk factors explain such variations. METHODS: The study uses longitudinal data from the 2002-2018 Health and Retirement Study (N = 21 963) and the multilevel growth curve model to assess trajectories of sleep disturbances and their variations across 6 cohorts of White, Black, and Hispanic older adults. Sleep disturbances are measured using a modified Jenkins Sleep Scale. RESULTS: Without controls, sleep disturbances increased with aging for all racial and ethnic groups, but more rapidly among minorities, particularly younger cohorts of Hispanic older adults. When controlling for social and health risks, sleep disturbances did not change with aging for Whites and Blacks and increased for younger cohorts of Hispanics. Cohort effects were observed among White older adults, with higher sleep disturbances in younger cohorts. Importantly, the racial and ethnic disparities in age and cohort effects were not fully explained by social and health risks. Of the symptoms, the most salient racial and ethnic disparities were found in "waking up at night" and "not feeling rested." CONCLUSIONS: Findings reveal several differences by race and ethnicity and birth cohort in trajectories of sleep disturbances. Efforts should be made to improve sleep health for older adults as they age, especially for younger cohorts of Blacks and Hispanics.

Prevalence, comorbidity, and risk factors for functional bowel symptoms: a population-based survey in Northern Norway.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the occurrence of functional bowel (FB) symptoms in Northern Norway, and to describe gender differences, comorbidity, and association to risk factors, including Helicobacter pylori infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult subjects (18-85 years) from the communities Bodø and Sørreisa were invited to complete a questionnaire on gastrointestinal symptoms, and to provide stool samples for assessment of H. pylori. RESULTS: Of 3927 invited subjects, 1731 (44.1%) responded to the questionnaire and 1416 (36.0%) provided stool samples. Functional bowel symptoms were found in 25%, somewhat more frequent in females (28.6%). Symptom pattern differed between genders only with regard to constipation. Presence of FB symptoms was significantly associated with gastroesophageal reflux symptoms, headache, dizziness, palpitations, sleep disturbances, and musculoskeletal symptoms. Psychometric traits were also more prevalent: feeling of low coping ability, feeling depressed, feeling of time pressure, and a low self-evaluation of health. In a multivariate regression model, factors that influenced the reporting FB symptoms were male gender (OR 0.71, 95% CI (0.52; 0.96)), age 50-69 years or ≥70 years (OR 0.49 (0.30; 0.80) and 0.40 (0.21; 0.79)), obesity (OR 1.61 (1.05; 2.47)), NSAID use (OR 2.50 (1.63; 3.83)), and previous abdominal surgery (OR 1.54 (1.05; 2.26)). The presence of H. pylori was not associated with FB symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Functional bowel symptoms are prevalent, but our findings may be prone to self-selection bias. FB symptoms carry a significant burden of comorbidity. Female gender and low age are known risk factors for FB symptoms, whereas NSAID use as a risk factor deserves further clarification.

Prevalence of depressive and other central nervous system symptoms in HIV-infected patients treated with HAART in Spain.

This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of depressive symptoms, sleep disturbances, and subjective cognitive complaints in patients with HIV receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy. Participants completed the "Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale" (CES-D) and a questionnaire on sleep disturbances and subjective cognitive complaints. Mean age of the 799 participants was 43.7 years and 67% were men. Adjusted prevalence of CES-D was 35.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 32.0-38.7), with no significant differences between gender and age groups. Sleep disturbances were more prevalent in older versus younger participants (74.0% [95% CI: 70.4-77.7] versus 63.3% [95% CI: 56.8-69.8]). Cognitive complaints were more prevalent in women (52.3% [95% CI: 46.4-58.2]) when compared with men (48.2% [95% CI: 44.7-51.6]). Hepatitis C virus coinfection was a strong predictor of depressive symptoms. Male gender and detectable viral load were independent risk factors for sleep disturbance. A higher CES-D score was an independent risk factor for sleep disturbance and cognitive complaints.

[Burnout syndrome of health workers in an assisted residence for the elderly]. / Síndrome de burnout en el personal sanitario de UNA residencia asistida de mayores.

OBJECTIVES: to estimate the prevalence of Burnout Syndrome and the sleep patterns alterations experienced by health workers who work in an Assisted Residence for the Elderly. MATERIAL AND METHODS: descriptive and cross-sectional research using the Maslach Burnout Inventory and the Sleepiness Epworth scales in a self questionnaire that was aimed to 150 employees at the institution. We used descriptive and inferential statistics with a 95% confidence interval. The relationship between categorical variables was carried out using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: response rate of 92% (138) on the total respondents (150). The burnout prevalence rate is located at 21.7% with a high percentage of workers with low personal fulfillment (64.1%). There is also a slight tendency to suffer from daytime sleepiness in general. It is worth highlighting musculoskeletal problems as the main physiological conditions in relation to the type of work (70.3%), being coffee as the most consumed substance of those polled. High level prevalence of burnout syndrome in the population studied, especially among the nursing staff and the need to develop interventions to reduce them.

Race-ethnic differences of sleep symptoms in an elderly multi-ethnic cohort: the Northern Manhattan Study.

BACKGROUND: Sleep disorders are associated with stroke and may vary among elderly Hispanics, Blacks and Whites. We evaluated differences in sleep symptoms by race-ethnicity in an elderly population-based urban community sample. METHODS: Snoring, daytime sleepiness and reported sleep duration were ascertained by standardized interviews as a part of the Northern Manhattan Study, a prospective cohort study of vascular risk factors and stroke risk in a multi-ethnic urban population. Sleep symptoms were compared amongst race-ethnic groups using logistic regression models. RESULTS: A total of 1,964 stroke-free participants completed sleep questionnaires. The mean age was 75 ± 9 years, with 37% men, with 60% Hispanics, 21% Blacks and 19% Whites. In models adjusted for demographic and vascular risk factors, Hispanics had increased odds of frequent snoring (odds ratio, OR: 3.6, 95% confidence interval, CI: 2.3-5.8) and daytime sleepiness (OR: 2.8, 95% CI: 1.7-4.5) compared to White participants. Hispanics were more likely to report long sleep (≥ 9 h of sleep, OR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.1-3.1). There was no difference in sleep symptoms between Black and White participants. CONCLUSION: In this cross-sectional analysis among an elderly community cohort, snoring, sleepiness and long sleep duration were more common in Hispanics. Sleep symptoms may be surrogate markers for an underlying sleep disorder which may be associated with an elevated risk of stroke and may be modified by clinical intervention.

Effects of noise from non-traffic-related ambient sources on sleep: review of the literature of 1990-2010.

This article reviews the literature about the effects of specific non-traffic-related ambient noise sources on sleep that appeared in the last two decades. Although everybody is faced with noise of non-traffic and non-industry origin (e.g. sounds made by neighbors, talk, laughter, music, slamming doors, structural equipment, ventilation, heat pumps, noise from animals, barking dogs, outdoor events etc.), little scientific knowledge exists about its effects on sleep. The findings of the present extensive literature search and review are as follows: Only a small number of surveys, laboratory and field studies about mainly neighborhood, leisure and animal noise have been carried out. Most of them indicate that ambient noise has some effect on human sleep. However, a quantitative meta-analysis and comparison is not possible due to the small number of studies available and at times large differences in quality.