Health-related quality of life in patients with narcolepsy types 1 and 2 from a Sleep Center in Brazil / Qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde em pacientes com narcolepsia tipos 1 e 2 de um Centro de Sono no Brasil

ABSTRACT Introduction: Narcolepsy patients have higher prevalence of comorbidities, such as obesity, depression, and pain. Narcolepsy symptoms and concomitant medical conditions can impact the daily activities of patients. The objective of this study is to describe the quality of life in a sample of patients with narcolepsy, and the influence of the nutritional status in health domains. Methods: At Unifesp, two groups of 33 patients (narcolepsy types 1 and 2 meeting 2014 criteria, concerning hypocretin-1) and 33 controls without sleepiness, matched by age and sex, filled out the SF-36. Results: Narcolepsy groups, regardless of their nutritional status, had significantly lower scores in all domains, compared to controls, mainly in Role-physical, Role-emotional, and Energy/Fatigue. Role-physical score was lower in type 1 than in type 2 and controls (37.8±1.0 vs. 50.0±1.2 vs. 85.6±1.6; p<0.0001). Obese with type 2 narcolepsy scored lower than type 1 in physical scales. Conclusion: In a Sleep Center in São Paulo, Brazil, physical and mental health were impaired in narcolepsy types 1 and 2. The first report of the poor health status in Brazilians with narcolepsy type 2 suggests that obesity negatively affects physical domains.

RESUMO Introdução: Pacientes com narcolepsia têm maior prevalência de comorbidades, como obesidade, depressão e dor. Sintomas de narcolepsia e condições médicas concomitantes podem afetar as atividades diárias dos pacientes. O objetivo deste estudo é escrever a qualidade de vida em uma amostra de pacientes com narcolepsia e a influência do estado nutricional nos domínios de saúde. Métodos: Na Unifesp, dois grupos de 33 pacientes (narcolepsia tipos 1 e 2 compatível com os critérios de 2014, em relação a hipocretina-1) e 33 controles sem sonolência, pareados por idade e sexo, preencheram o SF-36. Resultados: Os grupos de narcolepsia, independentemente do estado nutricional, apresentaram pontuações significantemente menores em todos os domínios, comparados aos controles, principalmente nos quesitos físico, emocional e energia/fadiga. A pontuação do critério físico foi menor no tipo 1 do que no tipo 2 e nos controles (37,8±1,0 vs. 50,0±1,2 vs. 85,6±1,6; p<0,0001). Obesos com tipo 2 tiveram pontuação menor do que os com tipo 1 nas escalas físicas. Conclusão: Em um Centro de Sono de São Paulo, Brasil, as saúdes física e mental estavam comprometidas na narcolepsia tipos 1 e 2. O primeiro relato de estado de saúde ruim em brasileiros com narcolepsia tipo 2 sugere que a obesidade afeta negativamente os domínios físicos.

Health-related quality of life in patients with narcolepsy types 1 and 2 from a Sleep Center in Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Narcolepsy patients have higher prevalence of comorbidities, such as obesity, depression, and pain. Narcolepsy symptoms and concomitant medical conditions can impact the daily activities of patients. The objective of this study is to describe the quality of life in a sample of patients with narcolepsy, and the influence of the nutritional status in health domains. METHODS: At Unifesp, two groups of 33 patients (narcolepsy types 1 and 2 meeting 2014 criteria, concerning hypocretin-1) and 33 controls without sleepiness, matched by age and sex, filled out the SF-36. RESULTS: Narcolepsy groups, regardless of their nutritional status, had significantly lower scores in all domains, compared to controls, mainly in Role-physical, Role-emotional, and Energy/Fatigue. Role-physical score was lower in type 1 than in type 2 and controls (37.8±1.0 vs. 50.0±1.2 vs. 85.6±1.6; p<0.0001). Obese with type 2 narcolepsy scored lower than type 1 in physical scales. CONCLUSION: In a Sleep Center in São Paulo, Brazil, physical and mental health were impaired in narcolepsy types 1 and 2. The first report of the poor health status in Brazilians with narcolepsy type 2 suggests that obesity negatively affects physical domains.

Comparison of quality of life evaluated by SF-36 and DLQI in multibacillary and paucibacillary leprosy patients from Sao Paulo, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Dermatological diseases have a negative impact on quality of life (QoL), affecting mental and physical health. Leprosy patients usually present with a worse QoL compared with those affected by other conditions. Reactions, neural damage, and pain are some of the consequences that contribute to the lower QoL. However, due to the wide spectrum of the disease, symptoms vary according to leprosy's subtype. This study aimed to compare the QoL between paucibacillary and multibacillary leprosy patients. Individuals were also compared considering the presence of reactions and a correlation between questionnaires was performed. METHODS: A total of 104 patients with leprosy aged 18 years old and over were selected. QoL was assessed by the Brazilian-Portuguese validated versions of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36) and the Dermatology Life Quality Life Index (DLQI). RESULTS: Multibacillary patients showed a more impaired physical function, worse bodily pain, lower score of SF-36, and higher interference of skin on the performance of daily activities when compared to the paucibacillary group. Individuals without reactions presented lower bodily pain and less effect of the skin on clothing choices compared to those with reactions. The SF-36 domains exhibited weak correlations with most DLQI questions, and the linear regression model showed that 32% of changes in QoL were related to the skin aspect. CONCLUSIONS: Multibacillary leprosy patients have a worse QoL when compared to paucibacillary patients. Reactions played a small role in the QoL of our cohort of patients.

Associations between sleep conditions and body composition states: results of the EPISONO study.

BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests anthropometric indicators of obesity are associated with changes in sleep quality and quantity, and the presence of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Investigations including diverse and objective evaluations of sleep and body composition are scarce. We aimed to evaluate the associations between indicators of sleep impairment and body composition states in a sample from a population-based study. METHODS: Participants of the first follow-up of the EPISONO (São Paulo, Brazil) >50 years were cross-sectionally evaluated. Sleep was assessed through questionnaires, actigraphy, and polysomnography. Body composition was evaluated by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Appendicular skeletal muscle mass adjusted for body mass index defined sarcopenia (men <0.789 and women <0.512). Total body fat defined obesity (men >30% and women >40%). The overlap between both conditions defined sarcopenic obesity (SO). Final results were obtained by multinomial logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Three hundred fifty-nine adults [mean (standard deviation) age, 61 (8.8) years; 212 (59.1%) female] were enrolled. Obesity was detected in 22.6% of the sample, sarcopenia in 5.6%, and SO in 16.2%. After controlling for covariates, OSA was associated with SO [odds ratio = 3.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.49-6.61]. Additionally, nocturnal hypoxaemia was associated with both obesity (adjusted odds ratio = 2.59, 95% CI = 1.49-4.49) and SO (odds ratio = 2.92, 95% CI = 1.39-6.13). Other indicators of poor sleep/sleep disorders were not associated with body composition states. CONCLUSIONS: Sarcopenic obesity but not obesity alone was associated with OSA. Both obesity and SO but not sarcopenia were associated with nocturnal hypoxaemia. The findings suggest a complex pathophysiologic relationship between adverse body composition states and OSA. Upcoming research on risk factors and therapeutic interventions for OSA should target synchronically the lean and adipose body tissues.

Temporal Analysis of Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain and Sleep in Postmenopausal Women.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To investigate the temporal association between chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) and sleep in women who are postmenopausal in a 10-day actigraphic study. This is a microlongitudinal study in which 52 participants were allocated to 4 groups women who are postmenopausal: control (CTRL, n = 10), chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP, n = 12), insomnia (INS, n = 15) and chronic musculoskeletal pain+insomnia (CMP+INS, n = 15). METHODS: All volunteers underwent a clinical interview and completed questionnaires, used an actigraph, and kept sleep diaries for 10 consecutive days. RESULTS: Women in the CMP+INS group presented more sleep episodes (mean of 1.02 episodes) and longer sleep latency (8.97 minutes), as well as higher pain intensity during the day compared to the other groups. Sleep duration recorded by actigraphy directly predicted pain intensity the following morning on waking, with a 1-unit increase in pain intensity, for every 6.9 minutes more of sleep. Higher pain intensity at bedtime was a significant predictor of both increased time in bed and sleep duration, meaning that for each 1-unit increase in pain intensity at bedtime, sleep duration increased by an average of 6.7 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: Data showed that the coexistence of insomnia and CMP results in greater pain intensity and alterations in sleep homeostasis. Collectively, the data indicate that there is a bidirectional and directly proportional relationship between sleep duration and pain intensity in women who are postmenopausal with insomnia. This result strongly suggests that both sleep and pain conditions should be targeted in the treatment of women who are postmenopausal.

Chronic pain in narcolepsy type 1 and type 2 - an underestimated reality.

Narcolepsy is a rare sleep disorder classified in types 1 and 2. The co-morbidities of narcolepsy type 1, with hypocretin-1 deficiency, are established. Hypocretin-1 in the central and peripheral nervous systems regulates nociception and pain. However, the patients with narcolepsy type 2 have similar excessive daytime sleepiness and co-morbidities without elucidation. The objective of the study was to determine the frequency and the characteristic of chronic pain according to the type of narcolepsy. We also investigated the effect of the interaction between the nutritional status and the type of narcolepsy. It was a cross-sectional study using self-administered questionnaires. Patients with narcolepsy (33 type 1 and 33 type 2), from Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil, matched by age and gender to 33 control subjects were included. Both types of narcolepsy presented a high frequency of chronic pain (84.84% type 1 versus 75.75% type 2), with indistinct pain characteristics between them. The odds ratio was 20.8 in type 1 and 11.6 in type 2, compared with controls. Obese individuals with narcolepsy type 1 and type 2 did not present a significant difference in pain intensity, compared with obese controls. Patients with narcolepsy type 1 and type 2 were associated with a high frequency of chronic pain. Chronic pain emerged as a co-morbidity never reported before in type 2. Depression possibly influences pain perception in these patients. Obesity might play a role in pain intensity in narcolepsy. The treatment of narcolepsy should take account of chronic pain, depression and obesity management.

Long Sleep Duration, Insomnia, and Insomnia With Short Objective Sleep Duration Are Independently Associated With Short Telomere Length.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine the association between short telomere length, sleep parameters, and sleep disorders in an adult general population sample. METHODS: As part of the EPISONO cohort (São Paulo, Brazil), 925 individuals answered questionnaires, underwent a full-night polysomnography and clinical assessment, and had peripheral blood collected for DNA extraction. Insomnia was diagnosed based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition; and obstructive sleep apnea was defined according to apnea-hypopnea index. For the objective insomnia phenotype, we combined insomnia diagnosis with total sleep time from polysomnography with a cutoff of 360 minutes, allowing the classification of six groups. Self-reported sleep duration was used to classify the individuals as short (< 6 hours), average (6 to 8 hours) and long (> 8 hours) sleepers. The leukocyte telomere length was measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Based on its distribution, we considered leukocyte telomere length < 10th percentile as short telomere and leukocyte telomere length ≥ 10th percentile as non-short telomere. RESULTS: After adjusting for sex, age, and body mass index, only insomnia disorder (odds ratio [OR] = 2.654, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.025-6.873, P = .044), insomnia disorder total sleep time < 360 minutes (OR = 4.205, 95% CI = 1.097-16.117, P = .036) and long sleepers (OR = 2.177, 95% CI = 1.189- 3.987, P = .012) were associated with short telomere. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the existence of an association among insomnia, insomnia phenotype, and self-reported long sleep duration with the maintenance of telomere length. COMMENTARY: A commentary on this article appears in this issue on page 1975.

Spirometry reference values for Black adults in Brazil / Valores de referência para espirometria forçada em adultos negros no Brasil

ABSTRACT Objective: To derive reference equations for spirometry in healthy Black adult never smokers in Brazil, comparing them with those published in 2007 for White adults in the country. Methods: The examinations followed the standards recommended by the Brazilian Thoracic Association, and the spirometers employed met the technical requirements set forth in the guidelines of the American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society. The lower limits were defined as the 5th percentile of the residuals. Results: Reference equations and limits were derived from a sample of 120 men and 124 women, inhabitants of eight Brazilian cities, all of whom were evaluated with a flow spirometer. The predicted values for FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio, and PEF were better described by linear equations, whereas the flows were better described by logarithmic equations. The FEV1 and FVC reference values derived for Black adults were significantly lower than were those previously derived for White adults, regardless of gender. Conclusions: The fact that the predicted spirometry values derived for the population of Black adults in Brazil were lower than those previously derived for White adults in the country justifies the use of an equation specific to the former population.

RESUMO Objetivo: Derivar equações de referência para a espirometria forçada em adultos brasileiros negros, saudáveis, que nunca fumaram, e comparar os resultados com os valores previstos para a raça branca publicados em 2007. Métodos: Os exames seguiram as normas recomendadas pela Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisiologia, e os espirômetros preencheram os requisitos técnicos exigidos pelas diretrizes da American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society. Os limites inferiores foram derivados pela análise do 5º percentil dos resíduos. Resultados: Equações e limites de referência foram derivados de uma amostra com 120 homens e 124 mulheres, habitantes de oito cidades brasileiras, utilizando-se um espirômetro de fluxo. Os valores previstos para CVF, VEF1, relação VEF1/CVF e PFE foram mais bem ajustados por regressões lineares, enquanto os fluxos, por equações logarítmicas. Os valores de referência de VEF1 e CVF para ambos os sexos foram significativamente menores quando comparados aos previstos para adultos da raça branca no Brasil. Conclusões: O fato de que os valores previstos da espirometria forçada derivados para a população negra no Brasil tenham sido inferiores aos previstos para a raça branca no país justifica a utilização de uma equação específica para adultos negros.

Obstructive sleep apnoea as a risk factor for incident metabolic syndrome: a joined Episono and HypnoLaus prospective cohorts study.

Cross-sectional studies have demonstrated that obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are often associated, but whether a temporal relationship exists is unknown. We aimed to investigate the effect of OSA on the risk of developing MetS in the general population.A prospective study was conducted combining two population-based samples: Episono (Brazil) and HypnoLaus (Switzerland). MetS was assessed according to unified criteria. Polysomnography (PSG) was performed at baseline and follow-up in Episono, and at baseline in HypnoLaus. OSA was defined according to the apnoea-hypopnoea index as mild (≥5- <15 events h-1) and moderate-to-severe (≥15 events·h-1). We included 1853 participants (mean±sd age 52±13 years, 56% female) without MetS at baseline.After mean±sd 6±1 years, 318 (17.2%) participants developed MetS. Moderate-to-severe OSA was independently associated with incident MetS (OR 2.58, 95% CI 1.61-4.11) and increased the number of MetS components from baseline to follow-up through mediation of the percentage of time with arterial oxygen saturation <90%. Subset analysis in Episono confirmed that the increase in this parameter between baseline and follow-up PSGs represented a risk factor for incident MetS (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.04-1.95, for each 10% increase).OSA is independently associated with an increased risk of developing MetS through mediation of nocturnal hypoxaemia in the general population.

Nicotine and sleep deprivation: impact on pain sensitivity and immune modulation in rats.

Repeated nicotine administration has been associated with increased paradoxical sleep in rats and antinociceptive properties, whereas paradoxical sleep deprivation (PSD) elicits pronociceptive and inflammatory responses. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the effect of repeated nicotine administration and its withdrawal combined with PSD on pain sensitivity and inflammatory markers. Sixty adult male Wistar rats were subjected to repeated injections of saline (SAL) or nicotine (NIC) for 12 days or 7 days of nicotine followed by acute mecamylamine administration on day 8 to precipitate nicotine abstinence (ABST). On day 9, the animals were submitted to PSD for 72 h or remained in control condition (CTRL); on day 12, thermal pain threshold was assessed by the hot plate test. PSD significantly decreased the latency to paw withdrawal in all groups compared to their respective controls. ABST-PSD animals presented higher levels of interleukin (IL)-6 compared to all groups, except ABST-CTRL. After adjustment for weight loss, IL-6, IL-4 and tumor necrosis factor alpha, ABST-PSD was associated with the lowest pain threshold. Nicotine and IL-4 levels were predictors of higher pain threshold. Hyperalgesia induced by PSD prevailed over the antinociceptive action of nicotine, while the association between PSD and ABST synergistically increased IL-6 concentrations and decreased pain threshold.

Candidate gene analysis in the São Paulo Epidemiologic Sleep Study (EPISONO) shows an association of variant in PDE4D and sleepiness.

INTRODUCTION: Sleepiness and cardiovascular disease share common molecular pathways; thus, genetic risk factors for sleepiness may also predict cardiovascular disease risk. This study explored the associations between subjective sleepiness and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in candidate genes within oxidative stress, inflammatory, and neuronal pathways, which may contribute to sleepiness and downstream cardiovascular disease risk: Cytochrome B-245, Alpha Polypeptide (CYBA), Cytochrome B-245, Beta Polypeptide (CYBB), Neutrophil Cytosolic Factor (NCF2), Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha (TNFA), and Phosphodiesterase 4D (PDE4D). METHODS: Adults (N = 918) from the general population who were a part of the São Paulo Epidemiologic Sleep Study (EPISONO) in São Paulo, Brazil, were genotyped using Human Omni Express BeadChip array. The average age was 42 ± 14.5 years, subjects had a mean body mass index (BMI) of 26.9 ± 5.4 kg/m2, and 44% were male. Based on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), subjects were classified as having sleepiness (ESS ≥ 10) or no sleepiness (ESS < 10). Logistic regression models were used to examine the associations with SNPs within candidate genes and sleepiness, adjusting for age, gender, BMI, Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI), total sleep time, and ancestry informative principal components (PCs). Complementary analyses using linear regression to assess the relationship between SNPs and continuous ESS were performed. RESULTS: We observed a novel association between the C allele of the rs12522161 SNP on PDE4D and a decreased likelihood of sleepiness, controlling for covariates and ancestry [OR (95% CI) = 0.64 (0.50, 0.81); p = 0.0002]. CONCLUSION: We present data for a novel genetic association with sleepiness for an SNP on the PDE4D gene, rs12522161.

Insomnia with Musculoskeletal Pain in Postmenopause: Associations with Symptoms, Mood, and Quality of Life.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between insomnia (INS) combined with chronic musculoskeletal pain (MSP) in postmenopausal women and its characteristics regarding MSP, menopausal and mood symptoms, sleep and quality of life (QOL). METHODS: A cross-sectional control study in 4 groups of postmenopausal women: control (n = 15), MSP (n = 15), INS (n =15) and INS + MSP (n = 17). Sixty-two participants completed questionnaires and had blood collected, and 43 underwent polysomnography. RESULTS: INS was associated with increased anxiety (P = 0.04) and sleep fragmentation (P = 0.02); worse MSP severity (P = 0.00), MSP interference with daily function (P = 0.00), higher pain intensity at midday (P = 0.02) and menopausal symptoms (P = 0.00); and reduced QOL (P = 0.00). MSP was associated with increased anxiety (P = 0.02) and menopausal symptoms (P = 0.00), and reduced QOL (P = 0.05). In the whole sample, depression symptoms were higher but no statistical differences were found between groups (P = 0.47). Worse QOL was associated with both higher depressive symptoms (P = 0.01) and worse pain interference (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: INS + MSP was related to higher menopausal and anxiety symptoms, more sleep fragmentation and complaints of MSP severity and interference, more pain sites and worse QOL. The presence of INS was associated to more MSP. Sleep management is essential in women who have developed chronic MSP.

Spirometry reference values for Black adults in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To derive reference equations for spirometry in healthy Black adult never smokers in Brazil, comparing them with those published in 2007 for White adults in the country. METHODS: The examinations followed the standards recommended by the Brazilian Thoracic Association, and the spirometers employed met the technical requirements set forth in the guidelines of the American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society. The lower limits were defined as the 5th percentile of the residuals. RESULTS: Reference equations and limits were derived from a sample of 120 men and 124 women, inhabitants of eight Brazilian cities, all of whom were evaluated with a flow spirometer. The predicted values for FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio, and PEF were better described by linear equations, whereas the flows were better described by logarithmic equations. The FEV1 and FVC reference values derived for Black adults were significantly lower than were those previously derived for White adults, regardless of gender. CONCLUSIONS: The fact that the predicted spirometry values derived for the population of Black adults in Brazil were lower than those previously derived for White adults in the country justifies the use of an equation specific to the former population.

The role of sleep in pemphigus: a review of mechanisms and perspectives.

Pemphigus is an autoimmune bullous disease that causes the development of blisters and erosions on the skin and/or mucosa. Its inflammatory process is mediated by cytokines, which interact with sleep in a bidirectional manner. Pain, a frequent symptom due to pemphigus lesions, is well known to impair sleep quality. Depression is also associated with pemphigus and pro-inflammatory cytokines and may impair sleep. Additionally, a common relationship among other dermatological diseases and sleep has increasingly been described. Poor sleep quality is associated with an increased risk for autoimmune diseases, and insomnia is a comorbidity that has recently been associated with pemphigus. Thus, this review will explore the evidence supporting the likely bidirectional relationship between pemphigus and sleep quality and its possible mechanisms involved. This approach covering both pemphigus and sleep will open a research avenue for future studies focusing on the efficacy of the sleep disorders treatment in patients with pemphigus. In the long term, this may provide relevant information to dermatologists regarding new strategies for the management of pemphigus clinical condition, allowing possibly a better quality of life for the patients.

Obstructive sleep apnea and objective short sleep duration are independently associated with the risk of serum vitamin D deficiency.

BACKGROUND: Studies demonstrate an association between vitamin D (25(OH)D) deficiency and sleep disturbances, such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and short sleep duration. However, to date, no studies have concurrently and objectively evaluated the effect of these factors on 25(OH)D. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether OSA and objective short sleep duration are independently associated with reduced 25(OH)D in an adult population sample. METHODS: A cross-sectional study included 657 individuals from the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil, as part of the ERA project. Participants fulfilled questionnaires and underwent clinical evaluation, polysomnography and blood sample collection for 25(OH)D quantification. OSA was classified into three categories (mild, moderate and severe). The risk of 25(OH)D deficiency was considered as levels<30 ng/mL. Short sleep duration was defined as total sleep time<6 hours. RESULTS: The risk of 25(OH)D deficiency was observed in 59.5% of the sample, affecting more individuals of the female gender, obese, with African American ethnicity, and those that were smokers, sedentary and presented hypertension and diabetes. In the final logistic model adjusted for age, gender, ethnicity, obesity, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, sedentary lifestyle, seasonality and creatinine serum levels, both OSA and short sleep duration showed significant independent associations with the risk of 25(OH)D deficiency (moderate OSA: OR for 25(OH)D<30 = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.35-3.64, p<0.01; severe OSA: OR for 25(OH)D<30 = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.06-3.00, p = 0.03; short sleep duration: OR for 25(OH)D<30 = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.15-2.26, p = 0.01). After a subgroup analysis, similar results were observed only in participants ≥50 years. CONCLUSION: OSA and short sleep duration are independently associated with the risk of 25(OH)D deficiency in an adult population. Age-related changes in vitamin D metabolism and the frequency of sleep disorders may be involved in these associations. Future studies exploring whether 25(OH)D levels may modulate OSA and sleep curtailment-related outcomes are needed.

The interfaces between vitamin D, sleep and pain.

The role of vitamin D in osteomineral metabolism is well known. Several studies have suggested its action on different biological mechanisms, such as nociceptive sensitivity and sleep-wake cycle modulation. Sleep is an important biological process regulated by different regions of the central nervous system, mainly the hypothalamus, in combination with several neurotransmitters. Pain, which can be classified as nociceptive, neuropathic and psychological, is regulated by both the central and peripheral nervous systems. In the peripheral nervous system, the immune system participates in the inflammatory process that contributes to hyperalgesia. Sleep deprivation is an important condition related to hyperalgesia, and recently it has also been associated with vitamin D. Poor sleep efficiency and sleep disorders have been shown to have an important role in hyperalgesia, and be associated with different vitamin D values. Vitamin D has been inversely correlated with painful manifestations, such as fibromyalgia and rheumatic diseases. Studies have demonstrated a possible action of vitamin D in the regulatory mechanisms of both sleep and pain. The supplementation of vitamin D associated with good sleep hygiene may have a therapeutic role, not only in sleep disorders but also in the prevention and treatment of chronic pain conditions.

Sleep pattern and spectral analysis of caregiver-mothers of sons with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and an examination of differences between carriers and non-carriers.

OBJECTIVES: Sleep is essential for physical and mental well-being. However, poor sleep is a common complaint among caregivers. The aim of the present study was to determine sleep patterns of caregiver-mothers (CM group) of sons with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and also to examine the differences between non-carriers and carriers of the gene related to DMD within the CM group. METHODS: Observational case-control study. PARTICIPANTS: The CM and control (CTRL) groups were matched for age, body mass index and social class. Polysomnography was conducted in a sleep laboratory for one night. The discrete fast Fourier transformation method was used to calculate the electroencephalogram (EEG) power spectrum for the entire night and sleep stages. RESULTS: The CM group presented higher sleep latency and N3 sleep stage compared with the CTRL. When carrier and non-carrier CM subgroups were analyzed, increased sleep latency and time awake, as well as reduced sleep efficiency and N2, were observed in the carrier group. Regarding respiratory parameters, carriers demonstrated higher hypopnea index values compared with non-carriers. Spectral analysis showed that carriers compared with non-carrier DMD caregiver-mothers presented lower spectral power in fast waves, mainly beta, during REM sleep in some EEG derivations. CONCLUSIONS: There was an impairment of sleep pattern in the CM group compared with CTRL mothers; this was possibly associated with difficulty in initiating sleep. Being a DMD gene carrying caregiver further compromised some aspects of sleep microstructure during REM sleep. The data demonstrated the importance of sleep evaluation in caregiver-mothers, and the relationship between sleep and being a carrier of the gene associated with DMD, which was demonstrated as possibly impacting sleep quality.