Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders: Zulley J

Hajak G, Bandelow B, Zulley J, Pittrow D. · Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Regensburg, Germany. · Ann Clin Psychiatry. · Pubmed #12046635 No free full text.

Abstract: Discontinuous, nonnightly hypnotic therapy in the treatment of chronic insomnia is likely to offer benefits such as maintained efficacy while preventing unnecessary long-term nightly use associated with the risk of tolerance and dependence. Based on the favorable results seen in four zolpidem studies using increasing degrees of flexibility in drug intake schedule, we developed the concept further and investigated "as needed" zolpidem pharmacotherapy amended by the optional use of stimulus control in conditions close to the "real life" practice. In a prospective, observational open study in 550 primary care settings throughout Germany, 2690 patients with chronic insomnia (mean age 59 years, 66% female, 50% with pharmacotherapy pretreatment) were treated with zolpidem according to an "as-needed" (pro re nata) administration treatment schedule (up to five tablets per week, intake nights chosen by the patient), amended by the optional use of behavioral therapy (stimulus control) during drug-free nights. After the three weeks' treatment period, in two thirds of patients (63%) the weekly number of tablets used was reduced in contrast to baseline. The average zolpidem tablet number taken decreased by 28% (from 3.7 to 2.6 per week; p < 0.00001) without any significant impact on the treatment efficacy assessed through the CGI. The subjective latency to sleep onset was reduced from a mean of 74 27 min (p < 0.00001) and total sleep time increased from 5.0 to 6.8 h (p < 0.00001). Efficacy of treatment was rated as very good or good in 93% by the investigators. Adverse events were observed only in 1.2% of patients and were generally of mild nature. No serious adverse event occurred. These results underline the validity of the zolpidem "as needed" treatment concept. It is feasible in a safe and effective manner also in a primary care setting and can be amended by stimulus control. Further research is warranted on the contributions of both treatment components to effectiveness and on the efficacy and safety issues of long-term use.

Ohayon MM, Zulley J. · Stanford Sleep Epidemiology Reseach Center, School of Medicine, Stanford University, California 94305, USA. · Sleep. · Pubmed #11683481 No free full text.

Abstract: STUDY OBJECTIVES: Global sleep dissatisfaction (GSD) is not part of the habitual insomnia symptoms in epidemiological studies. Furthermore, none of these studies has examined the relative importance of the various factors correlated to sleep dissatisfaction. This study aims to examine the links between GSD and insomnia and to find the factors contributing to GSD. DESIGN: A cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted in Germany (66 million inhabitants 15 years of age or older) with a representative sample of 4,115 subjects aged 15 years or older. Interviewers used the Sleep-EVAL system. The questionnaire covered several topics that were grouped into six classes of variables identified as potential factors associated with sleep dissatisfaction: sociodemographic descriptors, environmental factors, life habits, health status, psychological factors, sleep/wake factors. SETTING: N/A. PARTICIPANTS: A representative sample of 4,115 subjects aged 15 years or older INTERVENTIONS: N/A. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Overall, 7% of the subjects reported being GSD; 95.5% of them had at least one insomnia symptom. The duration of insomnia symptom(s) was 20 months longer in GSD subjects compared to insomnia subjects without GSD. The prevalence of GSD was higher in women than in men and increased with age. The most significant predictive factors for GSD were: 1) for sleep/wake schedule variables: night sleep duration less than 6 hours (OR: 4.0 and over) and sleep latency greater than 30 minutes. 2) for sociodemographic variables: age between 65 and 74 (OR: 6.7) 3) for health variables: Upper airway disease (OR: 7.1); 4) for mental health variables: anxiety symptoms (OR: 3.0); 5) for environmental factors: too hot bedroom (OR=2.5) 6) for life habit factors: the need of a particular object in order to fall asleep (OR: 2.4). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that GSD is a better indicator of an underlying pathology than the classical insomnia symptoms alone: compared to insomniac subjects without GSD, subjects with GSD were two times more likely to report excessive daytime sleepiness, and eight times more likely to have a diagnosis of sleep or mental disorder. Furthermore, in car drivers, road accidents in the previous year were two times more frequent with GSD drivers as compared to insomnia drivers without GSD. Subjects with GSD were more than 10 times more likely to seek help for their sleep problems and five times more likely to use a sleep medication than insomnia subjects without GSD.

Ohayon MM, Zulley J, Guilleminault C, Smirne S, Priest RG. · Stanford University School of Medicine, Sleep Disorder Center, California 94305, USA. · J Am Geriatr Soc. · Pubmed #11347777 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: To determine the role of activity status and social life satisfaction on the report of insomnia symptoms and sleeping habits. DESIGN: Cross-sectional telephone survey using the Sleep-EVAL knowledge base system. SETTING: Representative samples of three general populations (United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy). PARTICIPANTS: 13,057 subjects age 15 and older: 4,972 in the United Kingdom, 4,115 in Germany, and 3,970 in Italy. These subjects were representative of 160 million inhabitants. MEASUREMENTS: Clinical questionnaire on insomnia and investigation of associated pathologies (psychiatric and neurological disorders). RESULTS: Insomnia symptoms were reported by more than one-third of the population age 65 and older. Multivariate models showed that age was not a predictive factor of insomnia symptoms when controlling for activity status and social life satisfaction. The level of activity and social interactions had no influence on napping, but age was found to have a significant positive effect on napping. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the aging process per se is not responsible for the increase of insomnia often reported in older people. Instead, inactivity, dissatisfaction with social life, and the presence of organic diseases and mental disorders were the best predictors of insomnia, age being insignificant. Healthy older people (i.e., without organic or mental pathologies) have a prevalence of insomnia symptoms similar to that observed in younger people. Moreover, being active and satisfied with social life are protective factors against insomnia at any age.

Ohayon MM, Roberts RE, Zulley J, Smirne S, Priest RG. · Sleep Disorders Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA 94305, USA. · J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. · Pubmed #11128333 No free full text.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Despite many constraints on time schedules among teenagers, epidemiological data on sleep complaints in adolescence remain limited and are nonexistent for sleep disorders. This study provides additional data on sleep habits and DSM-IV sleep disorders in late adolescence. METHOD: A representative sample of 1,125 adolescents aged 15 to 18 years was interviewed by telephone using the Sleep-EVAL system. These adolescents came from 4 European countries: France, Great Britain, Germany, and Italy. Information was collected about sociodemographic characteristics, sleep/wake schedule, sleep habits, and sleep disorders and was compared with information from 2,169 young adults (19-24 years of age). RESULTS: Compared with young adults, adolescents presented with a distinct sleep/wake schedule: they went to sleep earlier, they woke up later, and they slept longer than young adults did. On weekends and days off, they also slept more than young adults did. However, the prevalence rates of sleep symptoms and sleep disorders were comparable in both groups. Approximately 25% reported insomnia symptoms and approximately 4% had a DSM-IV insomnia disorder. Fewer than 0.5% had a circadian rhythm disorder. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of insomnia disorders is lower in the adolescent population than in middle-aged or elderly adults. However, a rate of 4% in this young population is important given their young age and the consequences for daytime functioning.