State of Mental Health and Associated Factors in Nursing Students from Southeastern Iran

Objective. To evaluate the state of mental health and its relation with associated factors among nursing students. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 130 students from the Nursing and Midwifery College affiliated to the University of Medical Sciences of Shiraz (Iran). Data was collected through a document that included information on the demographic characteristics, the mean grades of the practical assignments and of the total (practical and theoretical assignments), and the Goldberg Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) that measures symptoms grouped into four dimensions (somatic symptoms, anxiety and insomnia, social dysfunction, and depression). Results. Most of the participants (65.1%) were women; 5.3% were between 21 and 22 years of age, 84.5% were single, and 33.3% were in the sixth semester; 68.5% of the students had problems with mental health. By dimensions of the GHQ-28, it was found that 7.7% had somatic symptoms, 13.8% symptoms of anxiety and sleep disorders, 52.3% social dysfunction, and 6.2% depression. Males had a higher score of depression than females, and being single was related with higher scores of physical symptoms, anxiety and insomnia, and depression, compared with those who were married. An inverse relationship was found between the GHQ-28 average score and the semester, the grade in practical assignments, and the total grade for physical symptoms and anxiety and insomnia. Conclusion. There is a high proportion of nursing students with suspected mental health disorder. Some demographic and academic factors are related with the mental health of students and must be kept in mind by the institutions training future nurses.

Objetivo. Evaluar el estado de salud mental y su relación con factores asociados entre los estudiantes de enfermería. Métodos. Se realizó un estudio de corte transversal con 130 estudiantes del Colegio de Enfermería y Partería afiliado a la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Shiraz (Irán). Para la toma de los datos se empleó un formulario que incluía información sobre las características demográficas, los promedios de calificación de las asignaturas prácticas y del total (asignaturas prácticas más teóricas), y el Cuestionario de Salud Goldberg (GHQ-28) que mide síntomas agrupados en cuatro dimensiones (síntomas somáticos, ansiedad e insomnio, disfunción social, y depresión). Resultados. La mayoría de los participantes (65.1%) fueron mujeres; el 5.3% tenía entre 21 y 22 años; solteros, el 84.5% y el 33.3% estudiaba en el sexto semestre. El 68.5% de los estudiantes tenía problemas con la salud mental. Por dimensiones del GHQ-28, se encontró que el 7.7% tenía síntomas somáticos; 13.8%, síntomas de ansiedad y trastornos del sueño; 52.3%, disfunción social y 6.2% depresión. El sexo masculino tuvo mayor puntaje de depresión que las mujeres, y el estado civil soltero se relacionó con mayores puntajes de síntomas físicos, ansiedad e insomnio y depresión, comparado con los casados. Se encontró una relación inversa entre el promedio del puntaje del GHQ-28 y el semestre, la calificación en las asignaturas prácticas y la calificación total para síntomas físicos y ansiedad e insomnio. Conclusión. Es alta la proporción de estudiantes de enfermería con sospecha de trastorno de la salud mental. Algunos factores demográficos y académicos están relacionados con su salud mental y deben ser tenidos en cuenta por las instituciones formadoras de los futuros enfermeros.

Objetivo. Avaliar o estado de saúde mental e sua relação com fatores associados entre os estudantes de enfermagem. Métodos. Se realizou um estudo de corte transversal com 130 estudantes do Colégio de Enfermagem e Parteira afiliada à Universidade de Ciências Médicas de Shiraz (Irã). Para a toma dos dados se empregou um formulário que incluía informação sobre as características demográficas, as médias de qualificação das matérias práticas e do total (matérias práticas mais teóricas), e o Questionário de Saúde Goldberg (GHQ-28) que mede sintomas agrupados em quatro dimensões (sintomas somáticos, ansiedade e insônia, disfunção social, e depressão). Resultados. A maioria dos participantes (65.1%) eram mulheres; 5.3% tinham entre 21 e 22 anos, eram solteiros (84.5%) e o 33.3% estudavam no sexto semestre. 68.5% dos estudantes tinham problemas com a saúde mental. Por dimensões de GHQ-28, se encontrou que 7.7% tinham sintomas somáticos, 13.8% sintomas de ansiedade e transtornos do sono, 52.3% disfunção social e 6.2% depressão. O sexo masculino teve maior pontuação de depressão que as mulheres, e o estado civil solteiro se relacionou com maiores pontuações de sintomas físicos, ansiedade e insônia e depressão, comparado com os casados. Se encontrou uma relação inversa entre a média da pontuação de GHQ-28 e o semestre, a qualificação nas matérias práticas e a qualificação total para sintomas físicos e ansiedade e insônia. Conclusão. É alta a proporção de estudantes de enfermagem com suspeita de transtorno da saúde mental. Alguns fatores demográficos e acadêmicos estão relacionados com a saúde mental dos estudantes e devem ser tidos em conta pelas instituições formadoras dos futuros enfermeiros.

Leucotrienos urinarios en pacientes pediátricos con trastorno respiratorio del sueño secundario a hiperplasia adenoamigdalina / Urinary leukotrienes in pediatric patients with sleep disordered breathing secondary to adenotonsillar hypertrophy

RESUMEN Introducción: El trastorno respiratorio del sueño (TRS) afecta al 2% a 3% de la población pediátrica, siendo la hiperplasia adenoamigdalina (HAA) su principal causa. Se ha observado un aumento en los niveles de leucotrienos excretados en orina (LTU) en estos pacientes, los cuales se correlacionarían con la severidad de la enfermedad. Objetivo: Determinar el nivel de LTU en niños con TRS e HAA antes y después de adenoamigdalectomía (AA), y en controles sanos. Correlacionar los niveles de LTU con los síntomas de TRS. Material y método: Estudio prospectivo. Se incluyeron pacientes con TRS e HAA (n =12) y controles sanos (n =12). Se determinó la concentración de LTU en ambos grupos de forma basal y un mes después de cirugía en el grupo con TRS. Resultados: No hubo diferencias en los niveles de LTU antes y después de AA. Tampoco existieron diferencias entre el grupo control y grupo TRS previo a la cirugía. No se encontró asociación entre LTU y la severidad de síntomas respiratorios. Conclusión: Los LTU no se encuentran elevados en pacientes con TRS e HAA, no disminuyen luego de AA y no se correlacionan con la severidad de los síntomas. La medición de LTU no sería una herramienta útil en la evaluación de pacientes con TRS. Nuevos estudios son necesarios para evaluar el rol de los leucotrienos en esta enfermedad.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Sleep disorder breathing (SDB) affects 2%-3% of the pediatric population, being adenotonsillar hyperplasia (ATH) its main cause. An increase in the levels of urinary leukotrienes (ULT) has been measured in these patients, which could be correlated with the severity of the disease. Aim: To determine the level of ULT in children with SDB and ATH before and after adenotonsillectomy, and healthy controls. To correlate the levels of ULT with symptoms of SDB. Material and method: prospective study. SDB and ATH patients (n =12) and healthy controls (n =12) were included. The concentration of ULT in both groups was determined, before surgery and after a month of surgery. Results: There were no differences in the levels of ULT before and after tonsillectomy in the studied group. There were also no differences between the control group and the SDB group. No association was observed between the level of ULT and the severity of respiratory symptoms. Conclusions: ULT are not elevated in patients with SDB and ATH and they do not decrease after adenotonsillectomy. ULT are not correlated with the severity of the symptoms of SDB. The measurement of ULT would not be a useful tool in the evaluation of patients with SDB. New studies are needed to assess the role of the role of leukotrienes in this disease.

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.

Impactos do trabalho em turnos na qualidade do sono e atenção sustentada de operadores paineleiros de uma empresa petroquímica / Impact of shift work on sleep quality and sustained attention of panel operators in the petrochemical company

Este trabalho se propõe a analisar os efeitos do trabalho em turnos na qualidade de sono e na atenção sustentada de trabalhadores em turnos alternantes. Dados referentes a este esquema de trabalho, em ambiente operacional real, ainda são escassos na literatura. O recorte amostral constitui-se de 21 trabalhadores, subdivididos em 10 participantes alocados no turno diurno e 11 no turno noturno. Utilizou-se o Índice de Qualidade de Sono de Pitt Sburgh (IQSP), o diário do sono e o Teste de Vigilância Psicomotora (PVT). A qualidade do sono foi pior no turno noturno do que no diurno. A atenção sofreu oscilação no desempenho, em função da hora do dia, da idade e dos anos de trabalho em esquema de turnos alternantes, para os dois turnos. O pior desempenho na atenção foi associado com o sono de curta duração no trabalho durante o turno noturno. Sugere-se que o trabalho noturno cause mais prejuízos ao sono dos trabalhadores e que a privação do sono pode afetar o desempenho cognitivo de funções como a atenção sustentada

This work aims to analyze the effects of shift work on sleep quality and sustained attention of workers on shift rotation. Data relating to this shift work, in a real operational environment, are still scarce in the literature. The sample cut is made up of 21 workers, subdivided into 10 participants allocated to the day shift and 11 workers on night shift . The Pitt sburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Sleep Diary and the Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT)were used. Sleep quality was worse on the night shift than day shift . Attention showed variation in performance, depending the ti me of day, age and years of work in shift rotation for the two shifts. The worst attention performance was associated with short sleep duration the night shift . It is suggested that the night work causes more harmto the workers' sleep and that sleep deprivation may affect cognitive performance of functions such as sustained attention

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.

Nocturnal Cramps in Patients with Lumbar Spinal Canal Stenosis Treated Conservatively: A Prospective Study

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study with questionnaire. PURPOSE: To compare the treatment outcome of nocturnal leg cramps in lumbar spinal canal stenosis (LSCS) patients on conservative treatment with historical surgical cohorts and to determine the sensitivity and specificity as well as positive predictive value and negative predictive value of knee flexion test suggested for LSCS patient. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: True prevalence of nocturnal leg cramps in LSCS patients as well as the clinical outcome of its surgical treatment have been reported. METHODS: A questionnaire suggested from previous study with minor modifications was used in this study. Clinical data was collected. Knee flexion test was performed in two groups. RESULTS: The prevalence of nocturnal leg cramp was higher in the LSCS group compared to the control group (second group). In LSCS patients, 38 (88%) had improved leg cramps after the conservative treatment, 3 (6.97%) remained unchanged, and 2 (4.6%) had worsened leg cramps. Of the 43 patients, 21 (48.8%) had no disturbance to their activities of daily living. In the LSCS group, the sensitivity and specificity of the knee flexion test was 53.5% and 33.3%, respectively. The knee flexion test in the LSCS group had a positive predictive value and a negative predictive value of 65.71% and 23.1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that nocturnal leg cramps were significantly more frequent in LSCS patients than in the control group.

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...

Polissonografia: aspectos técnicos e clínicos / Polysomnography: technical aspects and clinical use

O sono pode ser estudado por registro em poligrafia (registro combinado de vários sinais biológicos) geralmente chamado de polissonografia (PSG). Neste artigo comparam-se os resultados dos achados da PSG, segundo Rechtshaffen and Kales sleep scoring manual, 1968 ("R and K" rules), com American Academy of Sleep Medicine Manual for Scoring Sleep and Associated Events, 2007, mas se enfatiza o uso do segundo manual. Sumariamente, e com uso de ilustrações, resumem-se a aplicação prática da PSG; o estudo dos potenciais bioelétricos e suas bases; os sensores e transdutores usados nesta poligrafia; as características dos estágios do ciclo sono-vigília. Associadamente, apresentam-se alguns achados normais e anormais da PSG, avaliam-se parâmetros do estudo do ciclo sono-vigília.

Sleep can be studied by a polygraph registration (registration of various combined biological signals) commonly called polysomnography (PSG). In this paper we compare the results of the PSG, according to the Rechtshaffen and Kales sleep scoring manual of 1968 ("R and K" rules), to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine Manual for Scoring Sleep and Associated Events, 2007, however it is emphasized the second manual. Briefly, and with the help of illustrations, we summarize: practical application of the PSG and the study of bioelectric potential and its bases; sensors and transducers used in this polygraph; the characteristics of the stages of sleep-wake cycle. In addition, we present some PSG normal and abnormal findings, and we evaluate the parameters of the study of sleep-wake cycle.

Trastornos del sueño en el paciente adulto hospitalizado / Disorders of sleep in the hospitalized adult patient

Hospitalized adult patients frequently have sleep complaints. The majority of studies have principally focused in ICU patients. However, many medical and surgical disorders can disrupt the normal sleep architecture. Sleep disorders in hospitalized patients are susceptible to be successfully treated with hypnotics and control of ambient factors. We reviewed papers published in the Medline between 1997 – 2012, those considered relevant are be discussed in this review.

Trastornos del sueño en los pacientes críticos / Sleep disorders in critically ill patients

Sleep disorders are common in critically ill patients, and its consequences still insufficiently clarified. An environment with multiple noxious stimuli, light and hearing, admission for severe acute illness with multisystem disease, and the need for drugs that can disrupt sleep physiology, lead to this situation. We will review the epidemiology and risk factors for these disorders, and its possible consequences. Finally we discuss potential strategies for prevention of sleep disorders in this patient population.

Prevalence of parasomnia in school aged children in Tehran

Parasomnias can create sleep disruption; in this article we assessed parasomnias in school-aged children in Tehran. In spring 2005, a total of 6000 sleep questionnaires were distributed to school-aged children in 5 districts of Tehran [Iran]. A modified Pediatrics sleep questionnaire with 34 questions was used. Parasomnias varied from 0.5% to 5.7% among the subjects as follows: 2.7% sleep talking, 0.5% sleepwalking, 5.7% bruxism, 2.3% enuresis, and nightmare 4%. A group of children showed parasomnias occasionally- this was 13.1% for sleep talking, 1.4% for sleepwalking, 10.6% for bruxism, 3.1% for enuresis and 18.4% for nightmares. A high proportion of children starting school suffer from sleep problems. In many cases this is a temporary, developmentally related phenomenon, but in 6% of the children the disorder is more serious and may be connected with various stress factors and further behavioral disturbances

Excessive daytime sleepiness, nocturnal sleep duration and psychopathology among Nigerian university students

Background and objectives. Short nocturnal sleep duration resulting in sleep debt may be a cause of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). Severity of depression (psychopathology) has been found to be directly related to EDS. There is an association between sleep duration and mental health; so there may therefore be an interrelationship between sleep duration; EDS and psychopathology. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence rates of EDS and general psychopathology among university students in Nigeria; determine the range of and mean sleep duration in the students; and determine the extent to which sleep duration and EDS predict general psychopathology in the same group of subjects. Materials and methods. Eight hundred and forty-five students at Obafemi Awolowo University; Ile-Ife; Nigeria; were recruited for the study. The subjects were required to provide information on their age; gender and the total amount of sleep per night they usually had. General psychopathology was assessed using the eng language version of the 30-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-30). They were also evaluated for EDS using the eng language version of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Results. Six hundred and thirty-four subjects (75.03 of the participants) provided complete data. The prevalence of EDS was 11.2 and the rate of general psychopathology in the subjects 13.1. The range of sleep duration was 2 - 9 hours with a mean of 5.1 hours (standard deviation 1.3). On a regression model with the GHQ score as the dependent variable and sleep duration and ESS as the independent variables; the correlation coefficient between EDS; sleep duration and psychopathology (R) was 0.47. Conclusion. EDS and psychopathology are common in the student population studied. Nocturnal sleep duration for an average student is far less than that for an average adult. Nocturnal sleep duration and EDS acted as moderate predictors of general psychopathology among Nigerian university students

Trastornos y hábitos de sueño en niños y adolescentes con autismo / Sleep habits and disorders in children and adolescents

Existe una alta prevalencia de trastornos del sueño en personas con autismo. El propósito de este estudio fue describir las alteraciones del sueño y malos hábitos de sueño en una población de niños y adolescentes con autismo y determinar si existen diferencias según la edad. Estudio transversal, descriptivo. Se incluyeron 14 niños y 12 adolescentes con autismo procedentes del Centro de Atención Integrada para personas con Autismo en San Cristóbal, Venezuela. Fueron evaluados con un cuestionario para padres, que registra los hábitos de sueño en un periodo de 6 meses. Se establecieron comparaciones entre niños menores de 12 años y adolescentes. El trastorno de sueño informado con mayor frecuencia en niños fue dificultad para quedarse dormido (35,7%) y en adolescentes enuresis (30%). En cuanto a malos hábitos de sueño, predominó en niños, la necesidad de estar acompañado al momento de quedarse dormido (64,3%) al igual que en los adolescentes (33,3%). En Venezuela, un alto porcentaje de niños y adolescentes con autismo presentan alteraciones del sueño superiores a la población general; tales como dormir en cama de los padres o necesitar compañía al momento de quedarse dormidos; sin embargo, muchos padres no consideran que esto sea un problema serio que afecte a la familia o al niño.

There is a high prevalence of sleep disorders in people with autism. The objective of this study was to describe sleep disturbances and poor sleep habits in a population of children and adolescents with autism in Venezuela and to determine differences by age. Descriptive, crosssectional study. 14 children and 12 adolescents with autism were assessed with a questionnaire for parents, which recorded the sleep habits from 6 months earlier in the Center of integrated care for people with autism, in San Cristobal, Venezuela. Comparisons were established between children under 12 years old and adolescents. The sleep disorder reported more frequently in children was difficulty falling asleep (35.7%) and enuresis in adolescents (30%). In regard to bad sleep habits, the need to be accompanied at the time of falling asleep predominated in children (64.3%), as well as in adolescents (33.3%). In Venezuela, a high percentage of children and adolescents with autism have more sleep disorders than the general population, as the need to sleep in parent’s bed and the need of company when falling asleep. However, many parents do not considerthis as a serious problem affecting the family or the child.

Parasomnia Overlap Disorder Associated With Pontine Glioblastoma

Parasomnia overlap disorder is characterized by coexisting rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder and non-REM parasomnia. We report herein an 8-year-old boy with REM sleep behavior disorder, sleep talking, and confusional arousal. Polysomnography revealed REM sleep without atonia, and arousal disorder. Neurological examination revealed bilateral ptosis, lateral gaze palsy, facial palsy, vertical nystagmus, and dysmetria. A pontine glioblastoma was found on brain magnetic resonance imaging, which could have been responsible for his neurologic deficit and sleep problem.

Variación de la somnolencia diurna y proteína c reactiva en los integrantes de la IX Expedición Antártica Ecuatoriana, 2004 / Variation of daytime drowsiness and protein c reagent on the members of the ix antarctic ecuadorian expedition, 2004

Se ha demostrado que las condiciones climáticas y laborales extremas en la Antártida, alteran la relación sueño-vigilia, modificando los grados de somnolencia diurna. Objetivos: determinar la correlación entre el score de somnolencia diurna y la PCR cuantitativa como marcador inflamatorio en 20 expedicionarios ecuatorianos sometidos a horarios laborales estrictos durante 10 semanas en el verano peninsular Antártico y su relación con el score de somnolencia diurna en el trópico. Tipo de estudio: longitudinal, prospectivo, realizado a un grupo de expedicionarios durante el verano polar Antártico. Resultados: la escala de Epworth inicial una semana antes de la expedición, reportó un paciente 5(n=20) con hiepersomnolencia diurna excesiva con 11 puntos, el mismo que disminuyó 4 puntos en la escala final, clasificándose como no hipersomnolente. Se observó que todo el grupo tuvo una disminución en la escala de Epworth final vs. inicial con tendencia de al menos 1 punto (p=0.04). La correlación entre PCR y escala de Epworth inicial fue positiva con “r” Pearson de (0,55); esta correlación desapareció hacia el final de las 10 semanas de expedición. La PCR en el 100(n=20) fue de (0,17+/-0,16) al inicio y de (0,17+/-0,19) al final con un valor referencial normal de 0 a 1,20 mg/dL. Conclusiones: el estrés ambiental y laboral al que fueron sometidos los expedicionarios aumentó el estado de alerta en todo el grupo en relación con la escala de Epworth del trópico. La PCR inicial y final no alcanzó niveles significativos, manteniéndose siempre dentro de los parámetros normales, comprobándose la no existencia del componente inflamatorio al no haber hipersomnolencia diurna excesiva.

The extreme climatic and working conditions in the Antarctica alter the relation sleep-alertness, modifying the degrees of daytime drowsiness. Type of study: longitudinal, prospective, practiced on a group of expeditionary people during the Antarctic Polar summer. Objectives: to determine correlation between the score of daytime drowsiness and the quantitative RPC as inflammatory marker in 20 Ecuadorian expeditonary people submitted to strict working schedules during 10 weeks in the Antarctic peninsular summer and its connection with the score of daytime drowsiness in the Tropic. Results: the Initial Epworth scale a week before the expedition reported one patient 5 (n=20) with excessive daytime hypersomnia with 11 points. This patient reduced 4 points at the end of the scale, having been classified as non hypersomniac. In was observed that everybody in the group had a decrease in the Epworth scale final vs. initial with tendency of almost 1 point (p=0.04). The correlation between RPC and Initial Epworth scale was positive with “r” Pearson of (0.55); this correlation disappeared towards the end of the 10 weeks of expedition. The RPC in 100 (n=20) was of (0.17 +/-0.16) at the beginning and of (0.17+/-0.19) at the end with a normal referential value from 0 to 1.20 mg/dl. Conclusions: the environmental and working stress that they underwent increased alertness in all the group according to the Epworth scale of the Tropic. The initial and final (RPC) did not reach significant levels either, being always inside the normal parameter, proving the inexistence of the inflammatory component since there was no excessive daytime hypersomnia.

Effect of different therapeutic measures on nocturnal leg cramps for patients with varicose veins

To assess the effect of different therapeutic measures for nocturnal leg cramps on patients with varicose veins. The study was conducted at the out-patients clinics in El-Demerdash Hospital which is affiliated to Ain Shams University. The sample included 80 adult and old age patients from both genders with varicose veins and have developed nocturnal leg cramps. Tools of data collection consisted of: 1] A pre-designed questionnaires which includes patient's demographic data, frequency of leg cramps and patients knowledge, 2] exercise record, 3] diary record, 4] symptoms development sheet, and 5] information sheet. Revealed that, more than half of the sample had 60 years of age and more. Significant differences were found between pre / last follow-up tests among the four groups about diet knowledge and exercise control. Regarding outcome measures, there were gradual improvements in the four groups in post and follow-up tests. In addition the mean difference was lower in G1 [treatment group]. Diet and exercise therapy adding to pharmacological treatment as a therapeutic measure could be used in reducing nocturnal leg cramps for patients with varicose veins. Further studies are needed to elucidate the effect of other therapeutic measures on preventing nocturnal leg cramps

Revisao das desordens do sono com excessiva movimentacao, insonia e sonolencia na crianca / Sleepiness, insomnia and movement sleep disorders in children: a review

Objetivo : revisar as desordens do sono com aumento da movimentacao, insonia ou sonolencia, na crianca e no adolescente com enfase...

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Snoring in School-Aged Children

PURPOSE: We studied the prevalence of snoring and its association with diseases, obesity and environmental factors, as well as sleep disturbance arising from snoring, in school-aged children. METHODS: The survey was performed by a special questionnaire on 1,707 children at elementary schools from 1 to 30 July 2001 in Gwangju City. The prevalence of snoring, associated factors, and sleep disturbance were evaluated. RESULTS: 266(16.5%) of the children snored at least once a week. 73(4.3%) of the children snored almost every day. Regarding the associated factors of snoring : There was a statistically significant difference between snoring and nonsnoring groups due to gender, obesity, sinusitis, tonsillar hypertrophy, bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis. Of them, male gender, tonsillar hypertrophy, and obesity were significant risk factors for development of snoring. Especially, the odds ratio increased to 1.048(CI, 1.004-1.659), 1.748(CI, 1.175-2.599), and 2.266(CI, 1.300-3.950) in children with an obesity index of 20-29%, 30-49%, >or=50%, respectively. There was a statistically significant association of snoring with decreased sleep duration, sleep talking, and drowsiness during the day as a result of sleep disturbance. CONCLUSION: 16.5% of school-aged children snored at least once a week. The association of snoring with tonsillar hypertrophy, obesity and gender as risk factors was demonstrated in this study.