Effects of repeated administration of zolpidem on sleep, diurnal and nocturnal respiratory function, vigilance, and physical performance in patients with COPD

Sleep Deficiency, Sleep Apnea, and Chronic Lung Disease

With sleep occupying up to one-third of every adult's life, addressing sleep is essential to overall health. Sleep disturbance and deficiency are common in patients with chronic lung diseases and associated with worse clinical outcomes and poor quality of life. A detailed history incorporating nocturnal respiratory symptoms, symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and restless legs syndrome, symptoms of anxiety and depression, and medications is the first step in identifying and addressing the multiple factors often contributing to sleep deficiency in chronic lung disease. Additional research is needed to better understand the relationship between sleep deficiency and the spectrum of chronic lung diseases.

Impact of insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea on the risk of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major health burden worldwide. Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is characterized by worsening of patients' respiratory symptoms that requires a modification in medication. This event could accelerate disease progression and increase the risk of hospital admissions and mortality. Both insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are prevalent in patients with COPD, and are linked to increased susceptibility to AECOPD. Improper treatment of insomnia may increase the risk of adverse respiratory outcomes for patients with COPD, while effective continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment may reduce the risk of AECOPD and mortality in patients with overlap syndrome. Sleep disorders should be considered in clinical management for COPD.

Drug Safety of Benzodiazepines in Asian Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Purpose: Many comorbidities, including depression, anxiety, and insomnia, occur in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These patients may be prescribed benzodiazepines (BZDs). However, there are some concerns that benzodiazepines increase the risk of drug overdose, hypercapnic respiratory failure, acute exacerbation and increased mortality. The aim of our study was to evaluate the drug safety of BZDs in patients with COPD. Methods: We used the National Health Insurance Research database in Taiwan from 2002 to 2016 to perform a retrospective cohort study. We enrolled patients who were exposed to the first prescription of BZDs, non-BZDs or a combination (mix user) after COPD diagnosis. We performed 1:1:1 propensity score matching in three groups. The outcomes were COPD with acute exacerbation and all-cause mortality. Poisson regression analysis was performed to evaluate the incidence rate ratios for the outcomes in the groups. Results: After propensity score matching, there were 2,856 patients in each group. After adjusting for confounding factors, we found that compared to BZD users, non-BZD and mix users had nonsignificant differences in outpatient management of acute exacerbations, hospitalization management of acute exacerbations, emergency department management of acute exacerbations and all-cause mortality. BZD and mix groups showed significantly increased admission for acute exacerbation of COPD compared with that of the nonuser group, with IRRs of 2.52 (95% CI, 1.52-4.18; p = 0.0004) and 2.63 (95% CI, 1.57-4.40; p = 0.0002), respectively. Conclusion: BZD, non-BZD, and mix users showed increased COPD-related respiratory events compared to nonusers in Asian subjects.

Amelioration of sleep-disordered breathing with supplemental oxygen in older adults

Elderly adults demonstrate increased propensity for breathing instability during sleep compared with younger adults, and this may contribute to increased prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in this population. Hence, in older adults with SDB, we examined whether addition of supplemental oxygen (O₂) will stabilize breathing during sleep and alleviate SDB. We hypothesized that exposure to supplemental O₂ during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep will stabilize breathing and will alleviate SDB by reducing ventilatory chemoresponsiveness and by widening the carbon dioxide (CO₂) reserve. We studied 10 older adults with mild-to-moderate SDB who were randomized to undergo noninvasive bilevel mechanical ventilation with exposure to room air or supplemental O₂ (Oxy) to determine the CO₂ reserve, apneic threshold (AT), and controller and plant gains. Supplemental O₂ was introduced during sleep to achieve a steady-state O₂ saturation ≥95% and fraction of inspired O₂ at 40%-50%. The CO₂ reserve increased significantly during Oxy versus room air (-4.2 ± 0.5 mmHg vs. -3.2 ± 0.5 mmHg, P = 0.03). Compared with room air, Oxy was associated with a significant decline in the controller gain (1.9 ± 0.4 L/min/mmHg vs. 2.5 ± 0.5 L/min/mmHg, P = 0.04), with reductions in the apnea-hypopnea index (11.8 ± 2.0/h vs. 24.4 ± 5.6/h, P = 0.006) and central apnea-hypopnea index (1.7 ± 0.6/h vs. 6.9 ± 3.9/h, P = 0.03). The AT and plant gain were unchanged. Thus, a reduced slope of CO₂ response resulted in an increased CO₂ reserve. In conclusion, supplemental O₂ reduced SDB in older adults during NREM sleep via reduction in chemoresponsiveness and central respiratory events.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study demonstrates for the first time in elderly adults without heart disease that intervention with supplemental oxygen in the clinical range will ameliorate central apneas and hypopneas by decreasing the propensity to central apnea through decreased chemoreflex sensitivity, even in the absence of a reduction in the plant gain. Thus, the study provides physiological evidence for use of supplemental oxygen as therapy for mild-to-moderate SDB in this vulnerable population.

[Sleep and its' disturbanses in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]

Physiology of breathing during sleep predisposes to the development or worsening of the respiratory disorders in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) even if waking respiratory function remains relatively normal. Physicians, who assess patient's state only during the day, in some cases can underestimate this problem. Respiratory abnormalities can provoke insomnia, which additionally affects patient's quality of life. Supplemental oxygen and pressure support ventilation improve blood gases during sleep, but in many cases, insomnia persists. In many cases, such patients need the treatment with hypnotics. Widely used drugs in insomnia are benzodiazepines. They are rather effective but can cause respiratory depression and respiratory failure in patients with COPD. Z-hypnotics are comparable to classical benzodiazepines but much more safe and rarely worsen respiratory parameters. Melatonin and melatonin receptor agonists, antihistamines, antidepressants and neuroleptics can be effective in some patients with insomnia, but insufficient data about their safety in case of respiratory pathology restrict the use of these drugs in patients with COPD. The orexin receptor antagonist suvorexant is a novel hypnotic with the potential benefits for patients with COPD because it strongly improves sleep but does not depress respiration and has a minimal negative impact on daytime cognitive function.

Aging is associated with increased propensity for central apnea during NREM sleep

The reason for increased sleep-disordered breathing with predominance of central apneas in the elderly is unknown. We hypothesized that the propensity to central apneas is increased in older adults, manifested by a reduced carbon-dioxide (CO₂) reserve in older compared with young adults during non-rapid eye movement sleep. Ten elderly and 15 young healthy adults underwent multiple brief trials of nasal noninvasive positive pressure ventilation during stable NREM sleep. Cessation of mechanical ventilation (MV) resulted in hypocapnic central apnea or hypopnea. The CO₂ reserve was defined as the difference in end-tidal CO₂ ([Formula: see text]) between eupnea and the apneic threshold, where the apneic threshold was [Formula: see text] that demarcated the central apnea closest to the eupneic [Formula: see text]. For each MV trial, the hypocapnic ventilatory response (controller gain) was measured as the change in minute ventilation (V̇e) during the MV trial for a corresponding change in [Formula: see text]. The eupneic [Formula: see text] was significantly lower in elderly vs. young adults. Compared with young adults, the elderly had a significantly reduced CO₂ reserve (-2.6 ± 0.4 vs. -4.1 ± 0.4 mmHg, P = 0.01) and a higher controller gain (2.3 ± 0.2 vs. 1.4 ± 0.2 l·min^-1·mmHg^-1, P = 0.007), indicating increased chemoresponsiveness in the elderly. Thus elderly adults are more prone to hypocapnic central apneas owing to increased hypocapnic chemoresponsiveness during NREM sleep. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The study describes an original finding where healthy older adults compared with healthy young adults demonstrated increased breathing instability during non-rapid eye movement sleep, as suggested by a smaller carbon dioxide reserve and a higher controller gain. The findings may explain the increased propensity for central apneas in elderly adults during sleep and potentially guide the development of pathophysiology-defined personalized therapies for sleep apnea in the elderly.

The Use of Benzodiazepine Receptor Agonists and the Risk of Hospitalization for Pneumonia: A Nationwide Population-Based Nested Case-Control Study

BACKGROUND

The relationship between the use of benzodiazepine-receptor agonists (BZRAs) and the risk of hospitalization for pneumonia remains inconclusive. This study aimed to explore the association between BZRA use and hospitalization for pneumonia in a general population.

METHODS

This population-based nested case-control study used Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database between 2002 and 2012. We included only new users who did not have any BZRA prescriptions on record in the preceding 2 years and identified 12,002 subjects who were hospitalized for pneumonia (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes 480-486, and 507) and 12,002 disease risk score-matched control subjects. A logistic regression model was used to determine the association of BZRA use and hospitalization for pneumonia. The exposure date, dose-response relationship, and class of BZRAs were comprehensively assessed.

RESULTS

Current BZRA exposure was associated with hospitalization for pneumonia (adjusted OR [aOR],1.86; 95% CI, 1.75-1.97). Benzodiazepine hypnotic agents (aOR, 2.42; 95% CI, 2.16-2.71) had a higher risk of pneumonia than did benzodiazepine anxiolytic agents (aOR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.44-1.63) or nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic agents (aOR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.46-1.76). The pneumonia risk was increased with ultrashort-acting and short- to intermediate-acting agents, a higher defined daily dose, and the number of BZRAs used. Among individual BZRAs examined, midazolam had a higher risk (aOR, 5.77; 95% CI, 4.31-7.73) of hospitalization for pneumonia than did the others.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that there is a dose-response relationship between current BZRA use and the risk of hospitalization for pneumonia. In addition, benzodiazepine hypnotic agents, especially midazolam, present a greater risk of hospitalization for pneumonia. These findings reinforce the importance of a careful analysis of the benefits vs the risks of BZRA use.

Medication effects on sleep and breathing

Sleep respiration is regulated by circadian, endocrine, mechanical and chemical factors, and characterized by diminished ventilatory drive and changes in Pao2 and Paco2 thresholds. Hypoxemia and hypercapnia are more pronounced during rapid eye movement. Breathing is influenced by sleep stage and airway muscle tone. Patient factors include medical comorbidities and body habitus. Medications partially improve obstructive sleep apnea and stabilize periodic breathing at altitude. Potential adverse consequences of medications include precipitation or worsening of disorders. Risk factors for adverse medication effects include aging, medical disorders, and use of multiple medications that affect respiration.

Experience of insomnia, symptom attribution and treatment preferences in individuals with moderate to severe COPD: a qualitative study

Persons with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are known to have poor sleep quality. Acceptance of and adherence to therapies for sleep problems may depend on how the person with COPD regards the source of his sleep problem, yet little is known about their attribution as to the cause of these sleep symptoms. The objective of this study was to describe the subjective sleep complaints of individuals with COPD along with their attributions as to the cause of these symptoms, and their treatment preferences for insomnia. Three focus groups were conducted (N=18) with participants who have moderate to severe COPD. Focus group data were transcribed, compared and contrasted to identify themes of attribution. Participants reported difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, and daytime sleepiness. They attributed their sleep problems primarily to their pulmonary symptoms, but also poor air quality (thick humid air) and death anxiety when awake during the night. There was no clear preference for type of treatment to remedy this problem (medication, cognitive therapy), although they indicated that traveling to the clinic was difficult and should be avoided as much as possible. These data suggest that environmental manipulation to improve air quality (eg, air conditioning) and modifications to reduce death anxiety could be beneficial to persons with COPD. In-person multi-session therapy may not be acceptable to persons with moderate to severe COPD, however internet-based therapy might make treatment more accessible.

WITHDRAWN: Benzodiazepines and related drugs for insomnia in palliative care

This review is out of date, and the original authors are no longer available to update it.

The editorial group responsible for this previously published document have withdrawn it from publication.

Medication effects on sleep

The understanding of the neuropharmacologic reciprocal interactions between the sleep and wake cycles has progressed significantly in the past decade. It was also recently appreciated that sleep disruption or deprivation can have adverse metabolic consequences. Multiple medications have a direct or indirect impact on sleep and the waking state. This article reviews how commonly prescribed medications can significantly affect the sleep-wake cycle.

Sleep disorders and their management in patients with COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a prevalent progressive condition that adversely affects quality of life and sleep. Patients with COPD suffer from variety of sleep disorders including insomnia, sleep disordered breathing and restless leg syndrome. The sleep disorders in COPD patients may stem from poor control of primary disease or due to side effects of pharmacotherapy. Thus, optimization of COPD therapy is the main step in treating insomnia in these patients. Further, pharmacotherapy of sleep disorders may result in respiratory depression and related complications. Therefore, clear understanding of respiratory physiology during transition from wakefulness to sleep and during various stages of sleep plays an important role in therapies that are recommended in patients with significant airway obstruction. In this publication, we review respiratory physiology as it relates to sleep and discuss sleep disorders and their management in patients with COPD.

Sleep abnormalities and treatment in emphysema

Sleep abnormalities are common in severe emphysema, and include poor sleep quality, the development of nocturnal oxygen desaturation, and the presence of coexistent obstructive sleep apnea. With lower baseline oxygenation and abnormal respiratory mechanics in patients with severe emphysema, alterations in ventilatory control and respiratory muscle function that normally occur during sleep can have profound effects, and contribute to the development of sleep abnormalities. The impact on quality of life, cardiopulmonary hemodynamics, and overall survival remains uncertain. In addition, treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and its effect on sleep abnormalities have demonstrated conflicting results. More recently, as part of the National Emphysema Treatment Trial, lung volume reduction surgery has been shown to improve both sleep quality and nocturnal oxygenation in emphysema. Although indications for performing an overnight polysomnogram in patients with emphysema have been debated, recommendations have been presented. Future studies investigating disease mechanism and response to therapy in patients with sleep abnormalities and severe emphysema are warranted.

Benzodiazepine use and mortality of incident dialysis patients in the United States

Benzodiazepines and other omega-receptor agonists are frequently used for sleep and anxiety disorders. We studied the rates, correlates, and safety of individual benzodiazepines and zolpidem use from the records of 3690 patients in a national cohort of Dialysis Morbidity and Mortality Study Wave 2 data. We assessed drug utilization and an association between drug use and all-cause mortality. Overall, 14% of incident dialysis patients used a benzodiazepine or zolpidem. Women, Caucasians, current smokers, and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were more likely to use these drugs, whereas patients with cerebrovascular disease were less likely to use these drugs. In adjusted analyses, benzodiazepine or zolpidem use was associated with a 15% higher mortality rate. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease significantly modified this association, suggesting that these patients were at higher risk. No association was found between benzodiazepine use and greater risk for hip fracture. We conclude that benzodiazepine or zolpidem use is common in incident dialysis patients and may be associated with greater mortality. Further studies are needed to elucidate the safety of these drugs in the dialysis population, which may lead to cautious and restrictive utilization of omega-receptor agonists in dialysis patients.

Ventilatory management in patients with chronic airflow obstruction

Mechanical ventilatory support allows patients who have CAO to gain time for pharmacologic treatment to work and to avoid and/or recover from respiratory muscle fatigue. The cornerstone to avoiding associated morbidity with mechanical ventilation in these patients is to prevent dynamic hyperinflation of the lung by limiting minute ventilation and maximizing time for expiration and by inducing synchronization between the patient and mechanical ventilator. When mechanical ventilation is necessary, NPPV should be considered first, whenever possible, in these patients. Patients who have CAO requiring mechanical ventilatory support have an increased risk of death following such an event. Therefore, careful followup is needed after hospital discharge.

An oral hypnotic medication does not improve continuous positive airway pressure compliance in men with obstructive sleep apnea

BACKGROUND

Compliance with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is highly variable. Recent studies suggest that the initial experience with CPAP may determine long-term success. We hypothesized that administration of a hypnotic medication to new CPAP users would facilitate acclimation and increase usage.

METHODS

Seventy-two male OSA patients referred for CPAP treatment were randomized to also receive an oral hypnotic agent (zolpidem), placebo pill, or neither (standard care) for the first 14 days of CPAP treatment. CPAP usage (effective mask pressure [hours per day]) was recorded by an internal data chip. Patient symptoms were assessed with the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) and functional outcomes of sleep questionnaire (FOSQ). Treatment groups were matched for age, body mass index, and baseline ESS and FOSQ scores. Despite randomization, the standard care group had a higher apnea/hypopnea index than either the zolpidem or placebo pill groups (54.75 +/- 28.02 vs 32.61 +/- 25.12 vs 38.09 +/- 25.65, p = 0.012) [mean +/- SD]. Compared to placebo pill and standard care groups, the zolpidem group did not show greater CPAP usage in terms of total days used (zolpidem, 20.58 +/- 7.40 days; placebo pill, 17.83 +/- 9.33 days; standard care, 22.92 +/- 6.95 days; p = 0.198) or average time used per night (4.43 +/- 1.16 h vs 4.23 +/- 2.14 h vs 4.94 +/- 1.44 h, p = 0.361). All groups showed significant symptom improvements on both the ESS (p < 0.001) and FOSQ (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Administration of an oral hypnotic agent did not improve initial CPAP compliance in men with OSA.

Perturbação respiratória durante o sono em doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica

A doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica é uma condição freqüente e é hoje a quarta principal causa de mortes nos Estados Unidos. A prevalência de perturbação respiratória durante o sono, ou síndrome de superposição, como anteriormente denominada, ainda não foi determinada devido à publicação de relatos conflitantes. Esta condição deve continuar sendo investigada devido aos efeitos adversos causados por transtornos respiratórios relacionados ao sono em pacientes com doença pulmonar de base. Neste relato, discutiremos brevemente os mecanismos envolvidos na origem da perturbação respiratória durante o sono em doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica e auxiliaremos o leitor a distinguir àqueles pacientes que se beneficiariam de uma avaliação do padrão do sono mais detalhada, com a discussão de tópicos de gerenciamento e opções de tratamento.

New drugs for insomnia: comparative tolerability of zopiclone, zolpidem and zaleplon

Insomnia affects 30-35% of people living in developed countries. The impact of insomnia on daytime functioning and its relationship with medical and psychiatric illnesses necessitate early treatment to prevent insomnia becoming persistent and to avoid the development of complications. However, pharmacological strategies must achieve a balance between sedative and adverse effects. In the last 30 years, benzodiazepines have been the preferred drugs for the treatment of insomnia. Benzodiazepines act nonselectively at two central receptor sites, named omega(1) and omega(2), which are located in different areas of the CNS. The sedative action of benzodiazepines is related to omega(1) receptors, whereas omega(2) receptors are responsible for their effects on memory and cognitive functioning. According to their pharmacokinetic profile, benzodiazepines can be classified into three groups: short half-life (<3 hours), medium half-life (8-24 hours) and long half-life (>24 hours). The newer non-benzodiazepine agents zopiclone, zolpidem and zaleplon have a hypnosedative action comparable with that of benzodiazepines, but they display specific pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. These three 'Z' agents all share a short plasma half-life and limited duration of action. In addition, these agents are selective compounds that interact preferentially with omega(1) receptors (sedative effect), whereas benzodiazepines also interact with omega(2) receptors (adverse effects on cognitive performance and memory). Zaleplon is characterised by an ultrashort half-life (approximately 1 hour). Zolpidem and zopiclone have longer half-lives (approximately 2.4 and 5 hours, respectively). These properties, together with the low risk of residual effect, may explain the limited negative influences of these agents on daytime performance. Psychomotor tasks and memory capacities appear to be better preserved by non-benzodiazepine agents than by benzodiazepines. When present, cognitive deficits almost exclusively coincide with the peak plasma concentration. In particular, impairment can emerge in the first hours after drug administration, whereas psychomotor and memory tests carried out 7-8 hours later (i.e. in the morning) generally show no relevant alterations. As with benzodiazepines, the three 'Z' non-benzodiazepine agents should be used for a limited period, even in chronic relapsing conditions. Further evaluation is needed of the safety of hypnosedative medications in the long-term management of insomnia.

Management of insomnia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common medical disorder, which causes considerable morbidity and mortality. Given the chronic and symptomatic nature of the disease, the patient is often seen in the physician's office with complaints of dyspnea. However, more than 50% of COPD patients also have sleep complaints characterised by longer latency to falling asleep, more frequent arousals and awakenings, and/or generalised insomnia. Sleep disturbance tends to be more severe with advancing disease and substantially reduces the COPD patients' quality of life. In approaching the COPD patient who complains of insomnia it is important to take a complete sleep history. Having characterised the degree and duration of the problem, medical management of the underlying COPD must first optimise oxygen saturation while minimising the effects of many of the medications used for COPD. While aerosol therapies may be systemically absorbed and contribute to sleep disruption, anticholinergics, such as ipratropium bromide, are the least likely to do so and indeed have been shown to improve sleep quality in this population. Many of the traditional sedatives and hypnotics have been used in the COPD population including benzodiazepines, imidazopyridines, pyrazolopyrimidines and, less commonly, antidepressants and phenothiazines. Clinical trials support the role of numerous agents in treating insomnia in this population but do not always provide reassurance that these therapies can be used safely, particularly in the patient with severe COPD with hypercarbia. Benzodiazepines are among the most commonly employed agents, but case reports and series continue to describe adverse pulmonary events. Although the newer pyridine derivatives also have the potential to worsen pulmonary function, they appear less likely to do so. Data to date are limited with the tricyclic antidepressants and phenothiazines, although they appear to be very well tolerated from a respiratory point of view. Since sleep disturbances are often long-standing and associated with maladaptive behaviours towards sleep, cognitive/behavioural approaches are often useful and are more effective in the long-term than are hypnotics. When prescription of a sedative is to be made, extra caution is required for those patients at increased risk of adverse respiratory effects, such as those with advanced disease and hypercarbia in whom pharmacological therapy is often best avoided. Selection of the various options will depend upon the degree of underlying disease and the patient's specific complaints of insomnia. Finally, it is important to remember that while most hypnotics work in an acute setting, the long-term management will require an integrated approach.

Consensus on Drug Treatment, Definition and Diagnosis for Insomnia

Thirty-four experts and a literature supervisor got together in order to reach a 'consensus' regarding the definition, diagnosis and pharmacological treatment of insomnia. Insomnia is a subjective perception of dissatisfaction with the amount and/or quality of sleep. It includes difficulty in initiating or maintaining sleep or early awakening with inability to fall asleep again. It is associated with complaints of non-restorative sleep and dysfunction of diurnal alertness, energy, cognitive function, behaviour or emotional state, with a decrease in quality of life. The diagnosis is based on clinical and sleep history, physical examination and additional tests, although polysomnography is not routinely indicated. Therapy should include treatment of the underlying causes, cognitive and behavioural measures and drug treatment. Hypnotic therapy can be prescribed from the onset of insomnia and non-benzodiazepine selective agonists of the GABA-A receptor complex are the drugs of first choice. It is recommended that hypnotic treatment be maintained in cases where withdrawal impairs the patient's quality of life and when all other therapeutic measures have failed. Experience suggests that intermittent treatment is better than continuous therapy. The available data do not confirm safety of hypnotics in pregnancy, lactation and childhood insomnia. Benzodiazepines are not indicated in decompensated chronic pulmonary disease but no significant adverse effects on respiratory function have been reported with zolpidem and zopiclone in stable mild to moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and in treated obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome. Data for zaleplon are inconclusive. If the patient recovers subjective control over the sleep process, gradual discontinuation of hypnotic treatment can be considered.

Benzodiazepines and related drugs for insomnia in palliative care

BACKGROUND

Insomnia, a subjective complaint of poor sleep and associated impairment in daytime function, is a common problem. Currently, benzodiazepines are the most used pharmacological treatment for this complaint. They are considered helpful for occasional short-term use up to four weeks but longer term use is not advised due to potential problems regarding tolerance, dosing escalation, psychological addiction and physical dependence. There is no consensus on their utility in patients with progressive incurable conditions who may require assistance with sleep for many weeks as their condition deteriorates.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effectiveness and safety of benzodiazepines or benzodiazepine receptor agonists such as Zolpidem, Zopiclone and Zaleplon for insomnia in palliative care.

SEARCH STRATEGY

Several electronic databases were searched including Cochrane PaPaS Group specialized register, Cochrane Library Issue 4, 2001, MEDLINE, EMBASE, BNI plus, CINAHL, BIOLOGICAL ABSTRACTS, PSYCINFO, CANCERLIT, HEALTHSTAR, WEB OF SCIENCE, SIGLE, Dissertation Abstracts, ZETOC and the MetaRegister of ongoing trials. These were searched from 1960 to 2001 or as much of this range as possible. Additional articles were sought by handsearching reference lists in standard textbooks and reviews in the field and by contacting academic centres in palliative care and pharmaceutical companies. There were no language restrictions.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Studies considered for inclusion were randomized controlled trials of adult patients in any setting, receiving palliative care or suffering an incurable progressive medical condition. (For example, cancers, AIDS, Motor Neurone Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). There had to be an explicit complaint of insomnia in study participants, diagnosed by any of the three main classification systems (DSM-IV (APA 1994), ICSD (AASD 1990) or ICD (WHO 1992)), or as described in the study if it involved a subjective complaint of poor sleep. Studies had to compare a benzodiazepine or Zolpidem or Zopiclone or Zaleplon with placebo or active control for the treatment of insomnia. Any duration of therapy were considered.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Abstracts were independently inspected by both reviewers, full papers were obtained where necessary. Where there was uncertainty advice was sought by a third (PW). Data extraction and quality assessments were undertaken independently by both reviewers.

MAIN RESULTS

No randomized controlled trials were identified meeting the a priori inclusion criteria. Thirty-seven studies were considered but all were excluded from the review.

REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS

Despite a comprehensive search no evidence from randomized controlled trials was identified. It was not possible to draw any conclusions regarding the use of benzodiazepines in palliative care.

Treatment of insomnia in hospitalized patients

OBJECTIVE

To provide recommendations for the short-term management of insomnia in hospitalized patients and review patient assessment, nonpharmacologic treatment modalities, and selection of hypnotic medications.

DATA SOURCES

Review articles and primary literature representative of current knowledge regarding the treatment of insomnia were identified by MEDLINE search (1966-January 2001). Search terms included insomnia (sleep initiation and maintenance disorders), benzodiazepines, zaleplon, zolpidem, and trazodone.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Literature regarding the management of insomnia in hospitalized patients is limited; therefore, data pertinent to the treatment of ambulatory patients must be extrapolated to the inpatient setting. When evaluating insomnia in hospitalized patients, it seems reasonable to obtain a thorough history and physical examination to identify potential underlying etiologies. Treatment of these underlying etiologies should be considered. When the use of a sedative-hypnotic agent is necessary, medication and dose selection should be based on the pharmacokinetic and adverse effect profiles of each agent. Patent-specific characteristics should also be considered to provide effective treatment while minimizing adverse effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Nonpharmacologic approaches to the treatment of insomnia should be considered for hospitalized patients. When sedative-hypnotic medications must be administered, the pharmacokinetic profile of intermediate-acting benzodiazepines (e.g., lorazepam, temazepam) makes them good first-line agents. Zaleplon and zolpidem are also attractive hypnotic agents; however, they are typically reserved for second-line therapy due to cost. Trazodone may be an alternative for patients unable to take benzodiazepines.

Sleep disorders in the elderly

Sleep disorders and sleeping difficulty are among the most pervasive and poorly-addressed problems of aging. As the population ages, a burgeoning cadre of seniors will seek attention for sleeping difficulties and sleep disorders. Sleep changes with age, and sleeping problems and disorders generally increase with aging. At present, health care professionals are not receiving adequate preparation and training to help the elderly cope with age-related sleeping problems, and several specific areas are ripe for investigation.

Non-benzodiazepines for the treatment of insomnia

Benzodiazepine hypnotics, the mainstay of pharmacological treatment for insomnia, have been associated with altered sleep architecture, psychomotor and memory impairment, rebound insomnia, withdrawal effects, tolerance, dependence, abuse potential and respiratory depression. Non-benzodiazepines, such as zolpidem, zopiclone and zaleplon, demonstrate hypnotic efficacy similar to that of benzodiazepines along with excellent safety profiles. Non-benzodiazepines generally cause less disruption of normal sleep architecture than benzodiazepines. Psychomotor and memory impairment may be less problematic with non-benzodiazepines, especially when compared to longer-acting benzodiazepines. Rebound insomnia and withdrawal symptoms occur infrequently upon discontinuation of non-benzodiazepines and may be less common and milder than those seen upon discontinuation of some benzodiazepines. For the long-term treatment of insomnia, which is generally not recommended, zolpidem and zopiclone are particularly good options because they do not develop tolerance rapidly and have a low abuse potential. Limited data indicate that zaleplon has low tolerance and abuse potential, although further experience is needed to determine its long-term efficacy and safety profile. Since non-benzodiazepines produce minimal respiratory depression, they may be safer than benzodiazepines in patients with respiratory disorders. The choice of which hypnotic to use should be based on the patient's primary sleep complaint, health history, adverse effects and cost.

Comparison of the effects of zolpidem and triazolam on nocturnal sleep and sleep latency in the morning: a cross-over study in healthy young volunteers

1. Zolpidem (ZPD, 10 mg) was directly compared with triazolam (TRZ, 0.25 mg), a benzodiazepine hypnotic of a short action comparable to ZPD. The compounds were given to healthy young subjects for three nights, in a crossover design. 2. Polysomnographic data of three 150-min sections of the nights as well as the whole nights were analyzed, to clearly detect the proper effects of the very short acting hypnotics, which might be missed in the analysis of whole night. 3. Time courses were significantly different between the two compounds in the ratios (%) of stage wake (SW), stage 2 (S2), slow wave sleep (SWS) and stage REM (SR). 4. Compared to the baseline, SWS was increased by ZPD on the first night, not by TRZ. The separate analysis of the three 150-min sections revealed an increase of SWS during the first 150-min of the ZPD night, suggesting a proper action of ZPD to augment SWS. An increase of S2 and a decrease of SR were caused by TRZ, not by ZPD. However, the separate analysis indicated that ZPD might reduce SR during the first 150-min, which was cancelled by a subsequent rebound increase in the whole night analysis. 5. During the withdrawal period, TRZ, not ZPD, increased SW and SR with worsening of mood in the morning. ZPD did not affect sleep latency in the morning, while TRZ caused a trend of the reduction.

Predictors of restful sleep in a rehabilitation hospital

The effect of hypnotic use on self-rated quality of sleep and therapist-rated level of alertness was examined in an inpatient rehabilitation setting. We examined what other factors were predictive of a restful sleep in this population. Seventy-five inpatients at the Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital in Montreal were included. Patients were asked to rate the quality of their own sleep on a given night. Night nurses recorded whether sleeping pills had been used and rated patients' sleep and number of awakenings during the same night. Patients were evaluated by their physiotherapists and occupational therapists the next day regarding how well rested they seemed according to three parameters: alertness, fatigue, and level of participation in therapy. Thirty-three percent of the patients received sleeping pills on the study night. Sleeping pill use did not predict patient perception of getting a good night of sleep or the somewhat more objective sleep rating by the night nurse. Whether a sleeping pill was taken was also found not to be predictive of restful sleep as estimated by the physical and occupational therapists. Variables significantly associated with therapists' ratings of apparently restful sleep included number of comorbidities, the nurses' rating of how well the patient had slept, the patients' self-assessment of sleep, and whether the patient felt well rested the morning after sleep. However, the patients' own assessment of sleep quality was negatively related to their performance in rehabilitation therapy. This suggests that patient self-report of sleeping difficulty may not be the best or only guideline to follow when considering intervention such as prescribing sleeping pills, particularly because sleeping pill use seems not to influence either patient perception of sleep or how well rested they seem in therapy.

Beyond benzodiazepines: alternative pharmacologic agents for the treatment of insomnia

OBJECTIVE

To review the epidemiology, etiology, and classification of insomnia and provide an overview of the pharmacologic therapy of insomnia. Novel nonbenzodiazepine hypnotics including zolpidem, zopiclone, and zaleplon, as well as nonprescription products such as valerian and melatonin, are reviewed in detail.

DATA SOURCES

A MEDLINE search was performed to identify relevant clinical studies, case reports, abstracts, and review articles published between April 1992 and December 1997. Key search terms included insomnia, benzodiazepines, zolpidem, zopiclone, zaleplon, Cl 284,846, melatonin, and valerian. Additional references were obtained from the lists of review articles and textbooks.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

Data concerning the safety and efficacy of the hypnotic agents were extracted from all available clinical trials and abstracts. Background information regarding insomnia, benzodiazepines, and other hypnotics was extracted from the most current literature, including review articles and textbooks.

CONCLUSIONS

New developments in benzodiazepine receptor pharmacology have introduced novel nonbenzodiazepine hypnotics that provide comparable efficacy to benzodiazepines. Although they may possess theoretical advantages over benzodiazepines based on their unique pharmacologic profiles, they offer few, if any, significant advantages in terms of adverse effects. Over-the-counter agents such as valerian and melatonin may be useful in alleviating mild, short-term insomnia, but further clinical trials are required to fully evaluate their safety and efficacy.

Advanced lung disease. Palliation and terminal care

Considering that lung disease is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, remarkably little has been written about palliative care for patients who die of respiratory disease. Because most such deaths are anticipated, palliative care should begin with advance medical planning, ideally in the form of a prescheduled meeting among the physician, the patient, and the patient's proxy for health affairs. Home hospice care should be considered when a patient with progressive lung disease is largely confined to the bedroom because of dyspnea. Medical attention during the terminal phase of a respiratory illness should focus on the experience of the patient. Common symptoms amenable to counseling and pharmacotherapy include dyspnea, pain, anxiety, insomnia, and depression. If initiated to no benefit, mechanical ventilation can be terminally withdrawn with the concurrence of the patient or family. The withdrawal process should be family centered, and followed by continued supportive care until the patient dies.