Abordaje integrativo del insomnio en atención primaria: medidas no farmacológicas y fitoterapia frente al tratamiento convencional / An integral approach to insomnia in primary care: Non-pharmacological and phytotherapy measures compared to standard treatment

INTRODUCCIÓN: El insomnio es un trastorno del sueño que imposibilita iniciarlo o mantenerlo. En algún momento de la vida, hasta un 50% de adultos lo padecen ante situaciones estresantes. OBJETIVO: Evaluar el impacto de medidas higiénicas del sueño, técnicas de relajación y fitoterapia para abordar el insomnio, comparado con medidas habituales (tratamiento farmacológico). METODOLOGÍA: Estudio experimental, retrospectivo, sin asignación aleatorizada. Revisión de pacientes diagnosticados de insomnio (2008-2010). Los pacientes de grupo intervención (GI) recibieron abordaje integrativo (medidas higiénicas, técnicas de relajación y fitoterapia), y los del grupo control (GC), tratamiento convencional. Se compararon resultados de uso de recursos (media mensual de visitas pre y posdiagnóstico), tipo de tratamiento farmacológico prescrito y dosis total. Evaluación de la calidad del sueño a los 18-24 meses (test de Epworth). RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 48 pacientes en GI y 47 en GC (70% mujeres, media de edad 46 años (DE: 14,3). La media mensual de visitas prediagnóstico fue 0,54(DE: 0,42) en GI y 0,53 (DE: 0,53) en GC (p = 0,88). La media posterior fue 0,36 (DE: 0,24) y 0,65(DE: 0,46), respectivamente (p < 0,0001), observándose reducción estadísticamente significativa en GI. Recibieron alguna benzodiacepina el 52,5% de los pacientes GI y el 93,6% de los del GC (p < 0,0001). En GC se prescribió más alprazolam y lorazepam, con dosis acumuladas superiores. En la evaluación posterior no presentaban insomnio el 17% de los pacientes del GI y el 5% del GC. Presentaban insomnio severo el 13% de los pacientes del GC y ninguno del GI (p < 0,0001). CONCLUSIONES: El abordaje integrativo del insomnio puede ser resolutivo, disminuyendo las visitas y los efectos secundarios y la dependencia a benzodiacepinas

INTRODUCTION: Insomnia is a sleep disorder in which there is an inability to fall asleep or to stay asleep. At some point in life, 50% of adults suffer from it, usually in stress situations. AIM: To evaluate the impact of sleep hygiene measures, relaxations techniques, and herbal medicine to deal with insomnia, compared with standard measures (drug treatment). METHODOLOGY: An experimental, retrospective, non-randomized study was conducted by means of a review of patients diagnosed with insomnia (2008-2010). Patients in the intervention group (IG) received an integrative approach (hygiene measures, relaxation techniques, and herbal medicine) and a control group (CG) with conventional treatment. A comparison was made of the resources used in the two groups (average monthly visits pre- and post-diagnosis), type of prescribed drug therapy and total dose. Sleep quality was evaluated at 18-24 months (Epworth test). RESULTS: A total of 48 patients were included in the IG and 47 in the CG (70% women, mean age 46 years (SD: 14.3). Average monthly visit pre-diagnosis was 0.54 (SD: 0.42) in the IG and 0.53 (SD: 0.53) in the CG (P = .88). Post-diagnosis it was 0.36 (SD: 0.24) and 0.65 (SD: 0.46), respectively (P < .0001), with a statistically significant reduction being observed in the IG. More than half (52.5%) of the IG patients and 93.6% in the CG had received a benzodiazepine (P < .0001). Alprazolam and lorazepam were the most prescribed in the CG and with higher cumulative dose. In the subsequent evaluation, 17% of patients in the IG and 5% in CG did not have insomnia. Severe insomnia was present in 13% of patients in the IG and none in CG (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: The integrative approach to insomnia may be worthwhile as it reduces resource use and side effects, as well as dependence to benzodiazepines

[An integral approach to insomnia in primary care: Non-pharmacological and phytotherapy measures compared to standard treatment]. / Abordaje integrativo del insomnio en atención primaria: medidas no farmacológicas y fitoterapia frente al tratamiento convencional.

INTRODUCTION: Insomnia is a sleep disorder in which there is an inability to fall asleep or to stay asleep. At some point in life, 50% of adults suffer from it, usually in stress situations. AIM: To evaluate the impact of sleep hygiene measures, relaxations techniques, and herbal medicine to deal with insomnia, compared with standard measures (drug treatment). METHODOLOGY: An experimental, retrospective, non-randomized study was conducted by means of a review of patients diagnosed with insomnia (2008-2010). Patients in the intervention group (IG) received an integrative approach (hygiene measures, relaxation techniques, and herbal medicine) and a control group (CG) with conventional treatment. A comparison was made of the resources used in the two groups (average monthly visits pre- and post-diagnosis), type of prescribed drug therapy and total dose. Sleep quality was evaluated at 18-24 months (Epworth test). RESULTS: A total of 48 patients were included in the IG and 47 in the CG (70% women, mean age 46 years (SD: 14.3). Average monthly visit pre-diagnosis was 0.54 (SD: 0.42) in the IG and 0.53 (SD: 0.53) in the CG (P=.88). Post-diagnosis it was 0.36 (SD: 0.24) and 0.65 (SD: 0.46), respectively (P<.0001), with a statistically significant reduction being observed in the IG. More than half (52.5%) of the IG patients and 93.6% in the CG had received a benzodiazepine (P<.0001). Alprazolam and lorazepam were the most prescribed in the CG and with higher cumulative dose. In the subsequent evaluation, 17% of patients in the IG and 5% in CG did not have insomnia. Severe insomnia was present in 13% of patients in the IG and none in CG (P<.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The integrative approach to insomnia may be worthwhile as it reduces resource use and side effects, as well as dependence to benzodiazepines.