[Effect of magnesium supplementation on calorie intake and weight loss of overweight or obese insomniac elderly subjects: a double-blind randomized clinical trial]

There is evidence suggesting an association between insomnia and obesity and probable beneficial effects of magnesium supplementation on insomnia. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of dietary magnesium supplementation on the energy intake and weight reduction of insomniac overweight or obese elderly subjects. A double-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted on 46 overweight or obese subjects randomly allocated into the magnesium or the placebo group, receiving, daily for 8 weeks, either 500 mg magnesium or a placebo, respectively. Using appropriate questionnaires, data were collected on insomnia [insomnia severity index = ISI], physical activity, and sleep-log at baseline and at the end of the intervention period. In addition, information was obtained on anthropometric confounding factors and daily intakes of magnesium, calcium, potassium, caffeine, energy form carbohydrates, fat and protein, and total daily energy intake using the 24-hr dietary recall questionnaire for 3 days. The N4 and SPSS software version 16 were used for data analysis, the level of significance being a p-value < 0.05. No significant differences were observed in the assessed variables between the two groups at baseline. As compared to the placebo group, in the experimental group diatery magnesium supplementation brought about statistically significant increases in sleep duration and sleep efficiency, as well as significant decreases in the total energy intake and energy from carbohydrate and fat. The total length of time in bed, morning awakening time, energy from protein, serum magnesium concentration, or body weight were not different between the experimental and the placebo groups. In this study diatery magnesium supplementation resulted in improvements in sleep indices and a decrease in energy intake in elderly subjects. However, it had no beneficial effect on their body weight

[Relationship between obstructive sleep apnea and morning headache]

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome [OSAS] is a common disorder in the general population. Several studies have suggested that headaches, particularly morning headaches, are more common in patients with OSAS than in normal subjects. This study investigates whether exist correlation between morning headache and polysomnographic sleep parameters. This is a cross sectional study of 150 consecutive patients with OSA who underwent sleep polysomnography. Patients were interviewed about their headache history. Insomnia and subjective sleepiness was assessed using the Insomnia Severity Index and Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Polysomnographic recordings were compared in patients with and without morning headache. Headache and non-headache patients did not differ in the Respiratory Disturbance Index, either in Mean nocturnal SaO2 or sleep efficiency [P>0.05]. The headache patients were more likely to be female and spend a lower time in sleep. Insomnia was a common complaint in patients being evaluated for obstructive sleep apnea. No significant association emerged between the Excessive Daytime Sleepiness with headache [P>0.05]. Thus, nocturnal hypoxia is less likely to explain the high headache prevalence among patients admitted for polysomnography

[Neuropsychological effects of "perchloroethylene" on exposed dry cleaning workers]

"Perchloroethylene" is a solvent widely used in dry cleaning industry. Various effects on liver, kidney, nervous and cardiovascular systems have been attributed to exposure to this solvent. In this study we assessed some of the neuropsychological effects of chronic exposure to perchloroethylene on exposed dry cleaning workers. 40 exposed and 40 non exposed workers were compared in this historical cohort study. The researchers collected the data using a questionnaire and a check list. Frequency of selected neuropsychological effects were evaluated and compared in each group by means of statistical software. After adjustment for age and educational status, the frequency of depression in exposed group and non-exposed group was calculated to be%42/5 and%22/5 respectively [P=0/056]. Frequency of memory loss was higher in exposed group [%27/5] compared to non-exposed group [%17/5] [P>0.05] and the frequency of repetitive checking was surprisingly higher in non-exposed group and this difference was statistically significant [P<0/05]. The observed difference in "frequency of depression" in exposed and non exposed workers in our study was consistent with findings of previous studies. We were not able to demonstrate any statistically significant relation between perchloroethylene exposure and other neuropsychological effects. Our findings of "repetitive checking" was unexpectedly in contrast to the findings of previous studies