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.

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.

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.

Associação do autorrelato de problemas no sono com morbidades e multimorbidades segundo sexo: Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde 2019 / Asociación de los problemas de sueño autoinformados con morbilidades y multimorbilidades según el sexo: Encuesta Nacional 2019 / Association of self-reported sleep problems with morbidities and multimorbidities according to sex: National Health Survey 2019

Objetivo: Avaliar a associação do autorrelato de problemas no sono com a presença de doenças crônicas não transmissíveis (DCNTs) e multimorbidades, e se essas associações diferem por sexo. Métodos: Estudo transversal realizado com dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde 2019. Razões de prevalências entre morbidades, número de DCNTs e autorrelato de problemas no sono foram estimadas por regressão de Poisson com variância robusta, por sexo. Resultados: Foram analisados 85.531 brasileiros com idade ≥18 anos. Os problemas no sono autorrelados associaram-se a todas as morbidades e multimorbidades. A prevalência dos problemas no sono foi maior nos que declararam uma ou duas (RP = 2,37; IC95% 2,22;2,54) e três ou mais DCNTs (RP = 4,73; IC95% 4,37;5,11). As razões de prevalências da associação com diabetes, doenças pulmonares, mentais, renais e multimorbidades foram mais elevadas entre o sexo masculino. Conclusão: As DCNTs impactaram significativamente a qualidade do sono em ambos os sexos, com associação mais forte para o sexo masculino.

Objetivo: Evaluar la asociación de problemas de sueño con la presencia de enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles (ECNTs) y multimorbilidades, y si estas asociaciones difieren por sexo. Métodos: Estudio transversal con datos de la encuesta epidemiológica Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde 2019. Se estimaron las razones de prevalencia entre morbilidades, número de ECNTs y problemas de sueño por regresión de Poisson con variación robusta, por sexo. Resultados: Se analizaron 85.531 brasileños ≥ 18 años. El autoinforme de problemas de sueño se asoció con todas las morbilidades estudiadas y con multimorbilidades. La prevalencia de problemas de sueño fue mayor en aquellos que informaron uno o dos (PR = 2,37; IC95% 2,22;2,54) y tres o más ECNTs (RP = 4,73; IC95%4,37;5,11). Las razones de prevalencia de la asociación de diabetes con enfermedades pulmonares, mentales, renales y multimorbilidades han sido más fuertes en el sexo masculino. Conclusión: Las ECNTs tienen un impacto significativo en la calidad del sueño con fuerte asociación en ambos sexos, masculino y feminino.

Objective: To evaluate the association between self-reported sleep problems and the presence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and multimorbidity, and whether these associations differ by sex. Methods: This is a cross sectional study performed with data from the Brazilian National Health Survey, 2019. Prevalence ratios between morbidities, the number of NCDs, and the self-report of sleep problems were estimated by Poisson regression with robust variance, according to sex. Results: This study analysed data from 85,531 Brazilians age ≥ 18 years. The self-reported sleep problems were associated with all the herein studied morbidities and multimorbidities. The prevalence of sleep problems was higher in those who stated one or two (PR = 2.37; 95%CI 2.22;2.54) and three or more NCDs (PR = 4.73; 95%CI 4.37;5.11). Prevalence ratios of the association with diabetes, lung disease, mental disease, renal disease and multimorbidities were higher among males. Conclusion: NCDs significantly impacted sleep quality, with a particularly stronger association in both, males and females.

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.

Prevalence and Predictors of Overweight and Obesity among Young Children in the Children's Healthy Living Study on Guam.

This study is part of the Children's Healthy Living program in U.S. Affiliated Pacific region. The objectives were to estimate overweight and obesity (OWOB) prevalence and identify possible related risk factors among ethnic groups in Guam. In 2013, 865 children (2-8 years) were recruited via community-based sampling from select communities in Guam. Children's demographic and health behavior information; dietary intake; and anthropometric measurements were collected. Logistic regression, odds ratio, t-tests, and chi-square tests were used to determine differences and assess covariates of OWOB. The results indicate that 58% of children were living below the poverty level, 80% were receiving food assistance, and 51% experienced food insecurity. The majority of children surveyed did not meet recommendations for: sleep duration (59.6%), sedentary screen-time (83.11%), or fruit (58.7%) and vegetable (99.1%) intake, and consumed sugar sweetened beverages (SSB) (73.7%). OWOB affected 27.4% of children. Children affected by OWOB in this study were statistically more likely (p = 0.042) to suffer from sleep disturbances (p = 0.042) and consume marginally higher amounts (p value = 0.07) of SSB compared to children with healthy weight. Among Other Micronesians, children from families who considered themselves 'integrated' into the culture were 2.05 (CI 0.81-5.20) times more likely to be affected by OWOB. In conclusion, the OWOB prevalence among 2-8-year-olds in Guam was 27.4%; and compared with healthy weight children, children with OWOB were more likely to have educated caregivers and consume more SSBs. Results provide a basis for health promotion and obesity prevention guidance for children in Guam.

[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.

Analysis of Psychological and Sleep Status and Exercise Rehabilitation of Front-Line Clinical Staff in the Fight Against COVID-19 in China.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to understand the changes in psychological factors and sleep status of front-line medical staff in the fight against COVID-19 and provide evidence of exercise interventions to relieve psychological stress and improve sleep status for medical staff. MATERIAL AND METHODS A survey study was conducted among 120 front-line medical staff in the fight against COVID-19, of which 60 medical staff worked at the designated hospital (experimental group) and 60 medical staff worked at the non-designated hospital (control group). The Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90), Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), and PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C) were used to assess mental status. Sleep status was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). RESULTS SCL-90 scores of somatization, depression, anxiety, and terror were higher than normal in front-line medical staff at the designated hospital. The SAS (45.89±1.117), SDS (50.13±1.813), and PCL-C (50.13±1.813) scores in the experimental group were higher than the normal control group, and were significantly different from those in the control group on SDS and PCL-C scales (P<0.05). The total average PSQI of the experimental group was 16.07±3.761, indicating that the sleep quality was poor. Among them, participants with moderate insomnia reached 61.67%, and participants with severe insomnia reached 26.67%. CONCLUSIONS There are psychological symptoms and sleep symptoms in front-line medical staff who participate in the fight against COVID-19, and they affect each other. Hospitals should improve emergency management measures, strengthen psychological counseling for clinical front-line medical staff, strengthen exercise intervention, and improve their sleep quality and mental health.

The prevalence of poor sleep quality and associated risk factors among Chinese elderly adults in nursing homes: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Sleep problems have become the most common complaints among the elderly. There are a few studies that explored the prevalence of poor sleep quality and its associated factors among the elderly in nursing homes. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the prevalence of poor sleep quality and its associated factors among the Chinese elderly in nursing homes. METHODS: A total of 817 elderly residents, from 24 nursing homes, were included in this cross-sectional study. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and poor sleep quality was defined as PSQI >5. Multiple binary logistic regression was used to estimate the strength of the association between risk factors and poor sleep quality in terms of adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and interactions of risk factors for poor sleep quality were also examined. RESULTS: The prevalence of poor sleep quality was 67.3% (95% CI: 64.0, 70.5%) among the Chinese elderly in nursing homes. Multiple binary logistic regression results showed that participants with the following characteristics had an increased risk of poor sleep quality after adjustments for other confounders: being 70-79 years old (AOR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.08, 2.92) or 80 years old and above (AOR: 2.67, 95% CI: 1.68, 4.24); having one to two kinds of chronic diseases (AOR: 2.05, 95% CI: 1.39, 3.01) or three or more kinds of chronic diseases (AOR: 2.35, 95% CI: 1.39, 4.00); depression symptoms (AOR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.11), anxiety symptoms (AOR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.18), and social support(AOR: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.95, 0.99). Additive interactions were detected between age and anxiety symptoms (AOR: 8.34, 95% CI: 4.43, 15.69); between chronic disease and anxiety symptoms (AOR: 8.61, 95% CI; 4.28, 17.31); and between social support and anxiety symptoms (AOR: 6.43, 95% CI: 3.22, 12.86). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of poor sleep quality among the elderly in nursing homes is relatively high. Besides, anxiety symptoms has additive interactions with age, chronic disease and social support for poor sleep quality. These findings have significant implications for interventions that aim to improve sleep quality among elderly residents in nursing homes.

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.

Reasons why osteoarthritis predicts mortality: path analysis within a Cox proportional hazards model.

Objectives: To identify potentially modifiable factors that mediate the association between symptomatic osteoarthritis (OA) and premature mortality. Methods: A population-based prospective cohort study; primary care medical record data were linked to self-report information collected by questionnaire in adults aged 50 years and over (n=10 415). OA was defined by primary care consultation and moderate-to-severe pain interference in daily life. A Cox proportional hazards analysis determined the total effect (TE) of OA on mortality after adjustment for potential confounders. Within the Cox model, path analysis was used to decompose the TE to assess the indirect and direct effects for selected potential mediators (anxiety, depression, unrefreshed sleep and walking frequency). Results are expressed as HRs with 95% CIs derived from bootstrap resampling. Results: OA was significantly associated with mortality (TE-adjusted HR 1.14; 95% CI 1.00 to 1.29). The indirect effects for walking frequency were 1.05 (95% CI 1.04 to 1.06), depression 1.02 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.03), anxiety 1.01 (95% CI 1.00 to 1.02) and unrefreshed sleep 1.01 (95% CI 1.00 to 1.01). Conclusions: The analysis indicates that encouraging people to walk and 'get out and about' in addition to targeting OA could be protective against excessive mortality. The findings also suggest that depression, anxiety and unrefreshed sleep have a role in premature mortality for people with OA; however, this has low clinical significance.

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.

During day and night: Childhood psychotic experiences and objective and subjective sleep problems.

BACKGROUND: Psychotic experiences comprise auditory and visual perceptive phenomena, such as hearing or seeing things that are not there, in the absence of a psychotic disorder. Psychotic experiences commonly occur in the general pediatric population. Although the majority of psychotic experiences are transient, they are predictive of future psychotic and non-psychotic disorders. They have been associated with sleep problems, but studies with objective sleep measures are lacking. This study assessed whether psychotic experiences were associated with actigraphic sleep measures, symptoms of dyssomnia, nightmares, or other parasomnias. METHODS: This cross-sectional population-based study comprises 4149 children from the Generation R Study. At age 10 years, psychotic experiences including hallucinatory phenomena were assessed by self-report; dyssomnia and parasomnia symptoms were assessed by mother- and child-report. Additionally, at age 11 years, objective sleep parameters were measured using a tri-axial wrist accelerometer in N = 814 children, who wore the accelerometer for five consecutive school days. RESULTS: Psychotic experiences were not associated with objective sleep duration, sleep efficiency, arousal, or social jetlag. However, psychotic experiences were associated with self-reported dyssomnia (B = 2.45, 95%CI: 2.13-2.77, p < 0.001) and mother-reported parasomnia, specifically nightmares (ORadjusted = 3.59, 95%CI 2.66-4.83, p < 0.001). Similar results were found when analyses were restricted to hallucinatory phenomena. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood psychotic experiences were not associated with objective sleep measures. In contrast, psychotic experiences were associated with nightmares, which are a known risk indicator of psychopathology in pre-adolescence. More research is needed to shed light on the potential etiologic or diagnostic role of nightmares in the development of psychotic phenomena.

Impact of road traffic noise on sleep disturbances and attention disorders amongst school children living in Upper Silesian Industrial Zone, Poland.

OBJECTIVES: Published reports suggest that some adverse health impact may be related to noise exposure, and motor vehicle traffic is considered to be the main source of environmental hazard of noise. The aim of this study has been to assess an association between occurrence of sleep and attention disorders with exposure to the noise generated by motor vehicle traffic in the case of a large group of children living in an urban environment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data was obtained using a cross sectional study design in Bytom (Silesia, Poland) from 2003-2007 for a selected group of 7-14 year olds (N = 5136). The geographic information system was used for assessing the exposure to noise generated by the motor vehicle traffic. The association between occurrences of sleep disturbances or attention disorders and exposure to the traffic noise was examined by means of multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Sleep disturbances and attention disorders were found to be statistically significantly associated with exposure to the traffic noise. The multivariable logistic regression results suggest that sleep disturbances and attention disorders were more likely to occur in the case of children living in the area with higher traffic density, the odds ratio (OR) = 1.44 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05-1.97) and 1.38 (95% CI: 1.03-1.86), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study have confirmed that the exposure to the traffic noise could be a significant risk factor for sleep disturbances and attention disorders among children. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2017;30(3):511-520.

Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders in Chiari Malformation Type 1: A Prospective Study of 90 Patients.

Study objective: The aim of the present study is to describe the prevalence of sleep disorders in a large group of patients with Chiari malformation type 1 (CM-1) and determine the presence of risk factors associated with these abnormalities. Methods: Prospective study with consecutive patient selection. We included 90 adult patients with CM-1, defined by the presence of a cerebellar tonsillar descent (TD) ≥3 mm. Clinical, neuroradiological studies, and nocturnal polysomnography (PSG) was carried out. In addition, patients were also subclassified into 2 CM subtypes: CM-1, with the obex above the foramen magnum (FM) and CM-1.5, in which along with a TD ≥3 mm, the obex was located below the FM. Results: We observed a high prevalence (50%) of sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBDs) with predominant hypopnea. Only six patients showed a central apnea index of ≥5. Hypoventilation was observed in only three patients. SRBD severity was associated with male sex, older age, excess weight, and the presence of hydrocephalus. No differences in clinical or PSG parameters were found when comparing CM subtypes (CM-1 and CM-1.5). Sleep architecture study showed decreased sleep efficiency with an increase in arousal and waking after sleep onset. The presence of SRBDs was found to be associated with poorer sleep architecture parameters. Conclusions: This study confirms a high prevalence of SRBDs in patients with CM-1 and CM-1.5, with a predominant obstructive component. Nocturnal PSG recordings should be systematically conducted in these patients, especially those who are male, older, or overweight or those who present hydrocephalus.

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.

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.

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.

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.