Transtornos relacionados ao sono e comportamentos sexuais anômalos / Sleep Disorders and abnormal sexual behaviors

Esse artigo se baseia nas publicações de Schenck, especialista no assunto. Parassonias são comportamentos sexuais anômalos relacionados ao sono, caracterizados por movimentos complexos, emoções, percepções, sonhos e atividade do sistema nervoso autônomo. Podem provocar lesões, interrupção do sono, efeitos adversos à saúde e psicossociais. O diagnóstico é clínico: história médica e antecedentes (relatos de parcerias ou familiares e vídeos domésticos). Polissonografia é reservada para casos atípicos. O tratamento inclui medidas protetivas, esclarecimento ao familiar/cônjuge, controle dos fatores precipitantes, medicamento (clonazepam) e psicoterapia. A sexônia é uma parassonia (subtipo não REM), melhor estudada. Masturbação e tentativas inadequadas de obter relações sexuais (seguidas de amnésia ou lembrança vaga) são frequentes. A frequência em clínicas do sono é de 7,6% (homens 11,0%; mulheres 4,0%). Esses comportamentos surgem no curso de longa história de parassonia, desencadeando despertares confusionais. Terapia nasal com pressão positiva contínua nas vias aéreas pode controlar. Em homens, ereção peniana, associada à sexônia, é referida pela parceria. Providência importante é inquirir sobre sexônia, quando houver suspeita, uma vez que o paciente e/ou sua parceria não costumam falar, a menos que sejam solicitados ou por questões legais. Revisão de 18 casos médico-legais sobre violência relacionada ao sono e comportamento sexual durante o sono encontrou 9 casos em que sexônia foi alegada pela defesa. Foram apresentadas avaliações dos réus, as quais diferiram de caso para caso, alertando para a necessidade de consenso internacional. Abuso de álcool desqualifica a "defesa baseada em parassonia [sexônia]" em casos médico-legais.

Las pesadillas en pacientes pediátricos y adolescentes. Revisión del tema a propósito de 2 casos clínicos / Nightmares in pediatric and adolescent patients. Review of the topic regarding 2 clinical cases

Los sueños en niños y adultos son frecuentes, pero con contenido perturbador y un aumento en la frecuencia, deben ser una alarma para el médico y la familia. Las pesadillas son un tipo de parasomnia, principalmente asociada con el sueño REM. Las pesadillas son más frecuentes en el insomnio y también pueden causar insomnio debido al miedo al sueño. Están relacionados con altos niveles de ansiedad, miedo a conciliar el sueño o déficits cognitivos secundarios a la privación del sueño y, por lo tanto, pueden aumentar la vulnerabilidad al desarrollo de otros trastornos mentales. Las pesadillas tienen relevancia clínica porque deterioran la salud física y mental y están relacionadas con una mayor tasa de suicidio. La consulta debe guiarnos como una bandera roja para evaluar el estado de salud; la cantidad y calidad del sueño; y factores como comorbilidades asociadas, consumo de drogas o síntomas de abstinencia, o vulnerabilidades. Esta revisión se basó en dos casos clínicos, un niño que se presentó en la pandemia y un adolescente que presentó inicio abrupto de pesadillas.

Dreams in children and adults are frequent, but with disturbing content and an increase in frequency, they should be an alarm for the doctor and the family. Nightmares are a type of parasomnia, mostly associated with REM sleep. Nightmares are more frequent in insomnia and can also themselves cause insomnia due to fear of sleep. They are related to high levels of anxiety, fear of falling asleep or cognitive deficits secondary to sleep deprivation and, therefore, may increase vulnerability to the development of other mental disorders. Nightmares have clinical relevance because they deteriorate physical and mental health and are related to a higher suicide rate. The consultation should guide us as a red flag to evaluate the state of health; the quantity and quality of sleep; and factors such as associated comorbidities, drug use or withdrawal symptoms, or vulnerabilities. In this review based on two clinical cases, a child who presented in the pandemic and an adolescent who presented abrupt onset and nightmares.

Medicolegal aspects of non-rapid eye movement parasomnias

INTRODUCTION@#In a subset of adults with non-rapid eye movement (NREM) parasomnias, clinical variants might be violent in nature and can potentially result in unintentional but considerable harm. As such, there is substantial interest on the forensic ramifications of these sleep behaviours.@*METHODS@#This review examined the diagnostic criteria for parasomnias established in the context of international classification systems; medicolegal case reports; legal frameworks; and court cases in and outside of Singapore, to provide an overview of the implications of NREM parasomnias.@*RESULTS@#Violent or injurious behaviours that occurred in the context of somnambulism, otherwise known as sleepwalking, have challenged traditional legal theories of criminal culpability. Yet little has changed in the application of sleep science to criminal responsibility. In Singapore, the defence of somnambulism has hitherto not been directly raised. Nonetheless, sleep medicine practitioners may increasingly be requested to render their opinions on legal issues pertaining to violent or injurious behaviours allegedly arising during sleep. Although the understanding of NREM parasomnias has improved, there is still a dearth of evidence to support both medical and legal decisions in this area.@*CONCLUSION@#NREM parasomnias come with disquieting legal and forensic implications for adjudicating criminal responsibility. There is a need to critically examine legal perspectives on behaviours occurring during sleep. More reliable empirical studies investigating the pathophysiology of NREM parasomnias can offer clearer diagnostic guidelines and address complex behaviours of NREM that often come with medicolegal implications.

"Catatrenia": un trastorno del sueño poco conocido: descripción de tres casos clínicos pediátricos / Catathrenia: unknown sleep disorder: report 3 cases in pediatric patients

Catatrenia (gemido nocturno) es una condición rara caracterizada por sonidos irregulares que ocurren durante el sueño. Los comportamientos ocurren intermitentemente durante cualquiera de las dos etapas de sueño, REM o NREM y se caracterizan por gemidos prolongados, a menudo muy fuertes, socialmente perturbadores, durante la expiración. Es poco conocido y espera más definición y estudios terapéuticos. Hay pocos reportes y en su mayoría de pacientes adultos. Se presentan 3 casos en pacientes pediátricos.

Catathrenia (nocturnal groaning) is a rare condition characterized by irregular sounds that occur during sleep. The behaviors occur intermittently during either REM or NREM sleep and are characterized by prolonged, often very loud, socially disruptive groaning sounds during expiration. It is poorly understood and awaits further definition and therapeutic studies. There are few reports mostly adult patients are presented below 3 cases in pediatric patients.

Prevalence of Sleep Bruxism and Association with Oral Health Conditions in Schoolchildren in a Municipality in Southern Brazil

Abstract Objective: To estimate the prevalence of sleep bruxism and its association with oral health conditions in schoolchildren. Material and Methods: Cross-sectional study carried out in public schools of Tubarão, SC, Brazil with students aged 10 to 15 years. The oral examination was performed in classrooms by dental surgeons, using the WHO criteria. Data on malocclusions, caries and dental trauma, fluorosis, bleeding gums and the presence of dental calculus were collected. For the diagnosis of bruxism, the criterion of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine was adopted. The chi-square test was used to assess the association between sleep bruxism and oral health conditions. Prevalence ratios and confidence intervals were estimated by Poisson regression with robust estimator. Results: A total of 389 students were examined. The prevalence of sleep bruxism was 22.0%. Schoolchildren with malocclusion, increased overjet and dental calculus showed a statistically higher and independent prevalence of 9.0% (p=0.003), 6.0% (p=0.006) and 19.0% (p<0.001), respectively. Conclusion: Prevalence of sleep bruxism was 22% in the study population and was associated with malocclusions, particularly increased overjet, and the presence of dental calculus.

Trastornos paroxísticos no epilépticos neonatales / Non-epileptic paroxysmal disorder in neonates

Los trastornos paroxísticos no epilépticos son eventos frecuentes en el neonato, generalmente transitorios. Sin embargo, por su intensidad pueden ser confundidos como verdaderas crisis epilépticas. El objetivo de esta revisión es actualizar los conceptos en relación a los temblores, mioclonías neonatales benignas del sueño (MNBS) e hiperecplexia. Los temblores son muy frecuentes, una vez identificados debe determinarse si pertenecen a un síndrome de hiperexcitabilidad relacionado con factores maternos o perinatales, en casos idiopáticos se espera buen pronóstico. Las MNBS con frecuencia se confunden con crisis epilépticas, se caracterizan porque las mioclonías son breves y solo se presentan en el sueño, los niños son normales y el EEG también es normal. La hiperecplexia es un trastorno raro, genéticamente determinado, caracterizado por hipertonía y reacciones de sobresalto exagerado ante un estímulo banal, que pueden mejorar con clonazepam.

Non-epileptic paroxysmal disorders are frequent events in the neonate, generally transient. However, due to their intensity they can be confused as true epileptic seizures. The objective of this review is to update the concepts in relation to tremors, neonatal benign sleep myoclonus (MNBS) and hyperekplexia. The tremors are very frequent, once identified it must be determined if they belong to a hyperexcitability syndrome related to maternal or perinatal factors, in idiopathic cases a good prognosis is expected. MNBS are often confused with epileptic seizures. They are characterized by the fact that myoclonus is brief and occurs only in sleep, children are normal, and the EEG is also normal. Hyperekplexia is a rare, genetically determined disorder characterized by hypertonia and exaggerated startle reactions to a banal stimulus, which can be improved with clonazepam.

Alteraciones del sueño y bruxismo / Sleep alterations and bruxism

El sueño es un requerimiento biológico para la vida, sus alteraciones o su ausencia pueden disminuir la calidad de vida, el estado anímico y funcional, afectando seriamente la salud. Un sueño placentero y reparador implica cursar por facetas de profundidad diversa y actividad neuronal compleja. En este artículo se intentan explicar las generalidades del proceso del sueño y algunos de sus trastornos que lo relacionan con aumento de la actividad de los músculos masticatorios (bruxismo). Son presentados aspectos clínicos y neuronales que inducen a un incremento de microdespertares como alteración del sueño, estimulando bruxismo nocturno y bruxismo asociado a apnea nocturna. Son discutidas las posibles relaciones bidireccionales entre bruxismo diurno y nocturno secundarias a modifi caciones en la cantidad y calidad del proceso del sueño. De la misma manera, son sugeridas algunas consideraciones semiológicas y nosológicas para el mejor manejo y control del bruxismo asociado a las alteraciones del sueño, bajo el diagnóstico, atención y supervisión de equipos de atención multi- e interdisciplinarios (AU)

Sleep is a biological requirement for life, its alterations or privation thereof may reduce a person's quality of life, his or her state of mind and physical functions, which signifi cantly aff ects their health. Pleasant and repairing sleep implies going through variable deepness sleep stages, and a complex neuronal activity. This article intends to explain the generalities of the sleep process and certain disorders, particularly those in connection with the activity of the mastication muscles (bruxism). Clinical and neuronal aspects are presented inducing an increase in micro-awakenings such as sleep alterations stimulating nocturnal and bruxism associated with sleep apnea. Bidirectional connections between diurnal and nocturnal bruxism are argued as secondary to changes in the amount and quality of the sleep process. In the same manner, certain considerations associated to semiology and nosology of the diverse bruxism manifestations are considered for the better handling and control of the bruxism associated with sleep alterations under the diagnosis attention and supervision of multi- and interdisciplinary teams (AU)

Apnea/hipopnea del sueño y bruxismo nocturno / Sleep apnea/hypopnea and night bruxism

Los eventos de apnea o hipopnea durante el proceso del sueño se caracterizan por una disminución o bloqueo de la respiración induciendo a un estado orgánico de hipooxigenación que a su vez induce a microdespertares en reacción fi siológica de protección del organismo. Durante estos eventos, el individuo transita de una fase profunda del sueño a una más superfi cial. La repetición de los eventos de apnea/hipopnea provoca que el sueño no sea reparador física y emocionalmente, además de provocar una hiperactividad motora de los músculos masticadores. induciendo un incremento en la frecuencia e intensidad de movimientos rítmicos masticatorios que eventualmente pueden promover daños musculares, articulares, mucosos y dentales. El incremento de los movimientos rítmicos mandibulares también se observa en bruxismo nocturno, lo que abre la posibilidad que haya un efecto sumatorio entre ellos. Para ambos tipos de padecimientos, la polisomnografía empleada en tiempos modernos es un procedimiento para evaluar las alteraciones del sueño, que puede demostrar que los microdespertares preceden a un incremento de manifestaciones del sistema nervioso autónomo, incluida la hiperactividad muscular, la cual puede provocar alteraciones orgánicas de tipo sistémico, además de episodios de apretamiento y rechinamiento dental (AU)

The events of apnea or hypopnea during the sleep process are characterized by a decrease or obstruction of respiration inducing an organic state of hypooxygenation that in turn induces micro-arousals as a physiological reaction to protect the organism. During these events, the individual transits from a deep sleep phase to a more superfi cial phase. The repetition of apnea/hypopnea events causes a sleep that is nor physically neither emotionally repairing; furthermore inducing a motor hyperactivity of the masticatory muscles which increases the frequency and intensity of rhythmic masticatory movements that can eventually promote muscular, joint (TMJ), mucous and dental damage. That increase of the rhythmic masticatory movements is also observed in sleep bruxism, which leaves open the possibility of observing a summation eff ect with sleep apnea. For this type of conditions, polysomnography is a procedure that assesses sleep disturbances and demonstrates that micro-arousal precedes an increase autonomic changes, including muscle hyperactivity, which eventually could cause organic systemic alterations, as well episodes of clenching and dental grinding (AU)

Transtornos do sono: atualização (parte2/2) / Sleep disorders: up to date (2/2)

Este artigo (2/2) compõe uma revisão sobre fundamentos do sono e transtornos do sono (TS), sendo aqui considerados: 1-Incapacidade de dormir na hora desejada-atraso de fase, avanço de fase, ''jet lag'', ritmo sono-vigília irregular, sono/vigília de livre curso, transtornos dos trabalhadores em turnos; 2-Movimentos ou comportamentos anormais durante o sono. Este segundo grupo é aqui subdividido em: A1-Parassonias relacionadas ao sono NREM (Non-rapid eye movement) ­ despertar confusional, sonambulismo, terror noturno, síndrome da cabeça explosiva, alucinações relacionadas ao sono, enurese noturna e parassonias causadas por doenças e medicações; A2-Parassonias relacionadas ao sono REM (rapid eye movement) - transtorno comportamental do sono REM, pesadelos, paralisias recorrentes isoladas do sono, promulgação sono ''dream enactment behavior"; B-Transtornos do movimento relacionados ao sono-bruxismo, síndrome das pernas inquietas, movimentos periódicos das pernas, câimbras do sono, movimentos rítmicos relacionados ao sono, mioclonias proprioespinhais do início do sono, movimentos relacionados à medicação, mioclonias em doenças sistêmicas e mioclonias benignas do sono em bebês.(AU)

This is the second part (2/2) of an article that intends to review major topics regarding sleep fundamentals and sleep disorders (SD), now considering: 1-Circadian rhythm disorders-delayed onset sleep phase disorder, advanced onset sleep phase disorder, jet lag, irregular sleep-wake rhythm, free-running type, shift work type; 2-Abnormal movements or behaviours during sleep. This second category is divided in two groups: A1-NREM (Non-rapid eye movement) parasomnias ­ confusional awakening, sleepwalking, night terrors, explosive head syndrome, sleep-related hallucinations, nocturnal enuresis and parasomnias related to diseases or medications; A2-REM (Rapid eye movement) parasomnias-REM sleep behaviour disorder, nightmares, recurrent isolated sleep paralysis, dream enactment behaviour; B-Sleep related movement disorders-bruxism, restless legs syndrome, periodical limb movement disorders, nocturnal leg cramps, sleep related rhythmic movement disorder, propriospinal myoclonus, movements related to medication use, myoclonus related to systemic diseases and benign myoclonus of sleep.(AU)

Case of a 19-Year-Old Male with Nocturnal Groaning (Catathrenia) / 수면정신생리

Catathrenia is a rare sleep disease characterized by monotonous groaning sounds that appear to be related with prolonged expiration, commonly experienced during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Catathrenia is also known as nocturnal groaning or sleep-related groaning and is currently categorized as a sleep-related breathing disorder. We present a rare case of a 19-year-old male with nocturnal groaning during non-REM sleep. We suggest that if catathrenia is suspected, polysomnography should be utilized to differentiate it from various sleep disorders such as snoring, central sleep apnea, sleep talking, parasomnia, and sleep-related movement disorders.

Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder

Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is a parasomnia characterized by sleep interruption or trauma due to abnormal behaviors that occur during REM sleep. The pathophysiology of RBD is known to be a dysfunction of brainstem circuit that causes the loss of skeletal muscle atonia during REM sleep. The diagnosis of RBD is needed to confirm REM sleep without atonia in the polysomnography. The management of RBD includes not only drug treatment, but also to prevent injury from RBD and to follow-up on neurodegenerative diseases that may occur later. RBD is thought to be a prodromal stage of neurodegenerative disease associated with α-synucleoinopathy, such as Parkinson's Disease or multiple system atrophy. This article reviews the symptoms, epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of RBD, the relevance of neurodegenerative diseases, and recent research trends.

Parasomnia as an Initial Presentation of Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, sleep paralysis and hypnagogic hallucinations. Only a few studies have focused on non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and REM parasomnias in narcolepsy. We report a narcolepsy without cataplexy patient presenting parasomnia as an initial symptom. A 18-year-old boy was admitted to hospital for abnormal behavior of sitting up during sleep over 2 years. He had a symptom of lethargy without cataplexy and subjective excessive daytime sleepiness, but his family found him often asleep during daytime. He underwent 3 times of polysomnography (PSG) including 1 multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) after the last PSG. The last PSG showed 1 episode of abrupt sitting. Three sleep REM onset period was observed in MSLT which was not detect in PSG. Parasomnia as an initial symptom of narcolepsy is a rare clinical entity. The MSLT may be useful in the evaluation of patients with parasomnia and unexplained hypersomnia.

A Case of Re-Emergent Sleepwalking in Adulthood, Primed by Sleep Deprivation and Triggered by Sleep Apnea

Non-rapid eye movement sleep parasomnias including sleepwalking tend to disappear spontaneously during late childhood and adolescent period. Sleepwalking is not as common in adults as in children. Sleepwalking in adults could happen with triggering factors such as hypnotics or metabolic derangement including hypoglycemia. We report a case of an adult patient with recurrent, frequent sleepwalking and complex motor behaviors during sleep in his mid- twenties after spontaneous remission of sleepwalking in the childhood. The triggers were severe sleep deprivation and obstructive sleep apnea. No more sleepwalking was reported after the treatment of sleep apnea by tonsillectomy.

Intake of stimulant foods is associated with development of parasomnias in children / Ingestão de alimentos estimulantes está associada ao desenvolvimento de parassonias em crianças

ABSTRACT Objective To verify if nighttime feeding habits can influence parasomnia in children. Method Seven private and four public Elementary Schools took part in the study. A total of 595 Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children were distributed to the parents of children aged from 7 to 8 years. Data of dietary recall, starting time to school, physical activity, and nutritional status were studied. Results Of the 226 questionnaires completed, 92 (41%) reported parasomnia. Girls had 2.3 times more the chance to parasomnia than boys. Children who consumed stimulant foods had 2.6 times more chance to have parasomnia than those of children who consumed non-stimulant foods. There were no difference between parasomnia and no-parasomnia groups in food type (p = 0.78) or timing of last meal before bedtime (p = 0.50). Conclusion Our findings suggest that intake of stimulant foods is associated with development of parasomnia in children.

RESUMO Objetivo Verificar se hábitos de alimentação noturna influenciam parassonias em crianças. Método Sete escolas privadas e quatro públicas, de Ensino Fundamental, fizeram parte do estudo. Um total de 595 Escalas de Distúrbio do Sono para Crianças foram distribuídas para os pais de crianças entre 7 e 8 anos. Dados de recordatório alimentar, período escolar, atividade física e estado nutricional foram estudados. Resultados Dos 226 questionários preenchidos, 92 (41%) relataram presença de parassonias. Meninas tiveram 2,3 vezes mais chance de parassonias e crianças que consumiram alimentos estimulantes tiveram 2,6 vezes mais chance de parassonias em relação àquelas que consumiram alimentos não estimulantes. Não houve diferença entre os grupos em relação ao tipo de alimento (p = 0,78) ou horário da última refeição antes de ir para a cama (p = 0,50). Conclusão Nossos achados sugerem que a ingestão de alimentos estimulantes está associada com o desenvolvimento de parassonias em crianças.

Diagnostic Confusion of Nocturnal Paroxysmal Motor Activity

It is a significant challenge for the clinician to make distinction between nocturnal epilepsy form non-epileptic sleep disorders. Although in some patients, diagnosis is easy to achieve but sometimes not. At times even with help of polysomnogram and electroencephalogram, diagnostic confusion remains. We present two cases of nocturnal paroaxysmal events, which still need elucidate diagnosis.

Análise da microarquitetura do sono (padrão alternante cíclico) na polissonografia de crianças com enurese noturna monossintomática / Sleep microstructure analysis (Cyclic Alternating Pattern) in children with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis

Introdução: A enurese noturna (EN) é considerada como a eliminação de urina no período noturno, de forma involuntária, em indivíduos com cinco ou mais anos de idade em pelo menos duas noites no mês até todas as noites. EN pode ser do tipo monossintomática, quando ocorre na ausência de outros sintomas, ou não monossintomática, na presença de sintomas de vesicais diurnos. Apesar de historicamente conhecida com uma desordem psiquiátrica, a EN monossintomática está incluída na Classificação Internacional dos Transtornos de 2012 como uma parassonia podendo ocorrer em qualquer fase do sono, porém predominantemente no sono não REM. Está comumente associada a hiperatividade vesical, produção excessiva de urina e falha em acordar após o enchimento vesical. Apesar de ocorrer no sono, a avaliação do sono pelos padrões usuais falhou em encontrar justificativa para este processo patológico. A análise da microestrutura do sono é uma ferramenta mais refinada e precisa que pode auxiliar na busca do mecanismo neurofisiológico que justifica este processo. Objetivo: Analisar os padrões de microarquitetura de sono atrvés do Padrão alternante Cíclico (CAP) nas crianças com EN monossintomática para melhor compreensão das bases neurofisiológicas da EN. Metodologia: Trinta e seis crianças sendo, 22 enuréticos e 14 controles com idade variando entre sete e 17 anos de idade, que satisfizeram os critérios de inclusão, foram submetidas a triagem clínica e laboratorial, avaliados quanto aos aspectos do sono, com uso de diários de sono, das escalas de Berlin, Sleep Scale for Children (SDSC) e Escala de Sonolência de Epworth e posteriormente submetidos ao de estudo polissonográfico completo de noite inteira, com a avaliação do CAP. Resultados: As escalas de sonolência e de Berlin não evidenciaram anormalidades, o SDSC evidenciou apneia em 11/22 (50%), hiperidrose em 2/22 (9%) e transtorno da transição vigília-sono, do despertar e do início e manutenção de sono em 1/22...

Introduction: Nocturnal enuresis (NE) is defined as the lack of nocturnal urine control, in individuals with five or more years old for at least two nights in a month, but up to every night. EN can be monosymptomatic (ENM), when it occurs in the absence of other symptoms or non monosymptomatic in the presence of diurnal renal symptoms. Although historically known as a psychiatric disorder, ENM is included in the International Classification of Sleep Disorders 2012 as a parasomnia. It can occur at any sleep stage but predominantly in non-REM sleep. EN is commonly associated to bladder hyperactivity, excessive urine production and/or failure to wake up after bladder filling. Despite the occurrence in sleep, standard sleep evaluation has failed to find abnormalities. The analysis of sleep microstructure is a refined and more accurate tool that can help find the neurophysiological mechanism underlying this process. Purpose: To evaluate sleep microarchitecture through Clyclic Altenating Pattern (CAP) analysis in children with monosymptomatic NE and provide a better understanding of the neurophysiological basis of EN. Methods: After IRB approval, 36 children, 22 with NE and 14 controls aged between seven and 17 years old who met the inclusion criteria were submitted to clinical and laboratory screening, evaluated for aspects of sleep, using sleep logs, Berlin Questionnaire (BQ), Sleep Scale for Children (SDSC) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and submitted to a full polysomnographic study, with evaluation of CAP. Results: ESS and BQ evidenced no abnormalities, the SDSC showed mild sleep apnea in 11/22 (50%), hyperhidrosis in 2/22 (9%) and disorder of the sleep-wake transition, awakening and initiation and maintenance sleep in 1/22 (4.5%) each. Analysis of sleep macrostructure showed higher numbers of awakenings (p < 0.001) and N2 sleep (p = 0.0025) as well as greater amount of sleep N3 (p < 0.0001) when compared to controls. Sleep microstructure showed an...

Sleep disturbance in children with allergic disease

PURPOSE: Although allergic disease has been recognized as a common chronic disease related to the sleep disturbance of children, studies on sleep disturbance in children with allergic disease are scanty in Korea. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sleep disturbance of children with allergic disease. METHODS: Children aged 2 to 12 years were assessed using the sleep questionnaires. From July 2011 to June 2012, surveys were conducted on patients who were diagnosed with allergies in 3 general hospitals and in an elementary school in Seoul and the capital area. The analysis was done in 3 groups according to age. RESULTS: The sleep questionnaires of 1,174 children were evaluated. Children with allergic disease were 341 (209 males and 132 females) and those in the control group were 833 (428 males and 405 females). Parasomnia symptoms were common in young children (ages 2 to 5 years) than in the control group (P<0.05). Symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing were more common in early adolescent children (ages 11 to 12 years) than in the control group (P<0.05). The presence of allergic rhinitis, gender, and body mass index did not correlate with a sleep disturbance in children with allergic disease. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this study was the first report of sleep disturbance in children with allergic disease in Korea. This study suggests that children with allergic disease from early children may have poor sleep quality than those without. Therefore, proper treatment of and great interest in sleep disturbance are required for children with allergic disease.

Sleepwalking Triggered by Hypoglycemia

Sleepwalking is a rare parasomnia in the elderly. We report two cases of the patients who presented complex motor behaviors during sleep triggered by hypoglycemia. A 76-year-old male patient with diabetes mellitus presented to the sleep clinic for recurrent sleepwalking with amnesia. Night polysomnogram showed REM sleep without atonia with sleep talking and distal arm movements. While taking clonazepam, he had a few more episodes of sleepwalking. The last episode finally revealed severe hypoglycemia when he was found very far from his house. The second patient, a 67-year-old male showed four episodes of nocturnal confusion and sleepwalking lasting 20 minutes during sleep. His blood glucose and HbA1c were low. After decrease of the dose of oral hypoglycemic agent, no more recurrent sleepwalking occurred. Our cases showed hypoglycemia can induce sleepwalking in the older adults, rather than decreased mentality. Metabolic workup should perform for evaluation of sleepwalking, especially in the elderly.

Clinical Features of Wrist Drop Caused by Compressive Radial Neuropathy and Its Anatomical Considerations

OBJECTIVE: Posture-induced radial neuropathy, known as Saturday night palsy, occurs because of compression of the radial nerve. The clinical symptoms of radial neuropathy are similar to stroke or a herniated cervical disk, which makes it difficult to diagnose and sometimes leads to inappropriate evaluations. The purpose of our study was to establish the clinical characteristics and diagnostic assessment of compressive radial neuropathy. METHODS: Retrospectively, we reviewed neurophysiologic studies on 25 patients diagnosed with radial nerve palsy, who experienced wrist drop after maintaining a certain posture for an extended period. The neurologic presentations, clinical prognosis, and electrophysiology of the patients were obtained from medical records. RESULTS: Subjects were 19 males and 6 females. The median age at diagnosis was 46 years. The right arm was affected in 13 patients and the left arm in 12 patients. The condition was induced by sleeping with the arms hanging over the armrest of a chair because of drunkenness, sleeping while bending the arm under the pillow, during drinking, and unknown. The most common clinical presentation was a wrist drop and paresthesia on the dorsum of the 1st to 3rd fingers. Improvement began after a mean of 2.4 weeks. Electrophysiologic evaluation was performed after 2 weeks that revealed delayed nerve conduction velocity in all patients. CONCLUSION: Wrist drop is an entrapment syndrome that has a good prognosis within several weeks. Awareness of its clinical characteristics and diagnostic assessment methods may help clinicians make diagnosis of radial neuropathy and exclude irrelevant evaluations.

Efecto del tai chi en la calidad de sueño y somnolencia diurna en los integrantes del Club del Adulto Mayor de Lima Cercado, 2011 / Effect of Tai Chi in the sleep quality and daytime sleepiness in the members of the Club of Older Adult of Lima Cercado, 2011

INTRODUCCION: La población de adultos mayores va en aumento, y un alto porcentaje de ella presenta alteraciones en su calidad de sueño y somnolencia diurna, los cuales son un importante factor de riesgo para la morbimortalidad. El consumo de fármacos y sus comorbilidades provocan mayores efectos colaterales, por lo cual es necesario en su tratamiento el uso de medidas no farmacológicas, como la práctica de Tai Chi. OBJETIVOS: Determinar el efecto del Tai Chi en la calidad de sueño y somnolencia diurna en los integrantes del Club de Adulto Mayor (CAM) de Lima Cercado. MATERIAL Y METODO: estudio cuasi experimental, realizado con 60 adultos mayores integrantes del CAM de Lima Cercado desde octubre del 2010 a mayo del 2011, quienes presentaban trastornos del sueño. Se formaron dos grupos de 30 personas cada uno, uno de ellos realizó prácticas de Tai Chi por 1 hora, 2 veces por semana por 24 semanas. Se aplicaron los test de índice de calidad de sueño de Pittsburg y la escala de somnolencia de Epworth al inicio y a las 24 semanas. RESULTADOS: La edad promedio fue de 72.67±4.93 años, el 75 por ciento eran del género femenino, el 68.3 por ciento casados y el 11.7 por ciento vivían solos. El 33.3 por ciento de los adultos mayores presentaban 2 comorbilidades. Las enfermedades más frecuentes fueron: osteoartrosis (35 por ciento), osteoporosis (30 por ciento), gastritis (23.3 por ciento) e hipertensión arterial (21.7 por ciento). El 8.3 por ciento presentaron polifarmacia, los medicamentos más usados fueron: analgésicos (31.7 por ciento), bloqueadores H2 e inhibidores de la bomba de protones 06.7 por ciento) y antihipertensivos (20 por ciento). Los niveles de somnolencia diurna encontrados con la escala de somnolencia de Epworth fueron: 23.3 por ciento leve, 66.7 por ciento moderada, 10 por ciento grave; luego de la práctica de Tai Chi el 26.7 por ciento presentaron somnolencia diurna normal. Según la escala de Pittsburg el 33.3 por ciento de los adultos mayores tenían...