Delayed sleep phase disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic and its health implications.

Circadian rhythm sleep disorders are alterations that are characterized by a shift in the sleep-wake cycle relative to day and night, such as the delayed sleep phase disorder (DSPD), which is a retard of at least 2 hours in the sleep start. Typically, the patient falls asleep after 2 a.m. and wakes up after 10 a.m. and with symptom of sleep onset insomnia. The prevalence of DSPD in young adults is 0.48%, increasing to 3.3% in adolescents. Interestingly, patients with COVID-19 infection report anxiety due to the intensive care unit lockdown and constant exposure to bright light. In addition, post-COVID patients have an increased risk of developing DSPD. For example, in adolescent post-COVID patients, the prevalence of DSPD increases to 63.3%. Patients with DSPD also have alterations in metabolic health, poor school performance, cognitive impairment, and a higher risk of developing other diseases. The objective of the present review is therefore to describe the characteristics of DSPD during the COVID-19 pandemic and to outline its possible implications for physical health (eg, metabolism) and mental health (eg, anxiety or depression).

The economic costs of insomnia comorbid with depression and anxiety disorders: an observational study at a sleep clinic in Mexico.

Significant advances documenting the costs associated with insomnia have been achieved. However, those related to insomnia associated with mood disorders remain understudied, even though insomnia is more severe in the presence of comorbid conditions such as depression and anxiety. The aim of this study was to determine the direct and indirect costs of insomnia associated with depression and anxiety disorders (DAD) from the perspective of the patient in a private healthcare system. This was an observational study of chronic insomnia associated with DAD at a private Sleep Disorders Clinic in Mexico City between 2019 and 2020. Patients were followed for up to one year. Healthcare resource utilization data were collected through clinical records. Direct and indirect costs associated with insomnia treatment were estimated through micro-costing. The estimated economic burden was projected to 5 years adjusting for inflation and discounting future costs. A deterministic sensitivity analysis was performed. The median cost of the first year of insomnia treatment associated with DAD was US$3537.57 per patient. The work productivity loss represented the highest economic burden (63.84%) followed by direct medical costs (28.32%), and the direct non-medical costs (7.85%). The estimated annual economic burden for patients treated in the private healthcare system in Mexico was US$293 million. The costs of insomnia associated with DAD at a private clinic in México were found to be high. The burden of the costs faced by these patients is substantial relative to the median income of the population. The economic costs at an individual and societal levels are substantial. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s41105-022-00412-6.

Parasomnias in patients with addictions-a systematic review.

Parasomnias are involuntary behaviors or subjective experiences during sleep. Our objective was to review existing information on the presence of parasomnias in patients with addictions or during treatment for addictions. Information about parasomnias related to rapid-eye-movement (REM) and non-REM sleep in patients with addictions, while using substances or in abstinence, was reviewed. A systematic search of published articles reporting parasomnias as a consequence of drug use or abuse was conducted in the PubMed and SciELO databases. The search for the studies was performed in three phases: (1) by title, (2) by abstract, and (3) by complete text. The search was performed independently by two researchers, who then compared their results from each screening phase. Seventeen articles were found. The consumption of alcohol was reported in association with arousal disorders, such as sexsomnia and sleep-related eating disorder; and REM sleep behavior disorder was reported during alcohol withdrawal. Cocaine abuse was associated with REM sleep behavior disorder with drug consumption dream content. Overall, we found that several types of parasomnias were very frequent in patients with addictions. To avoid accidents in bedroom, legal problems, and improve evolution and prognosis; must be mandatory to include security measures related to sleep period; avoid pharmacological therapy described as potential trigger factor; improve sleep hygiene; and give pharmacological and behavioral treatments for patients with these comorbid sleep disorders.

Síndrome de apnea hipopnea obstructiva del sueño y consumo de benzodiacepinas en adultos mayores. Reporte de un caso / Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome and benzodiazepine consumption in older adults. A case report

Resumen Introducción: El síndrome de apnea hipopnea obstructiva del sueño (SAHOS) es un trastorno del dormir que se caracteriza por obstrucción de la vía aérea durante el sueño. Los factores de riesgo más importantes para este trastorno son la obesidad y la edad. La obstrucción de la vía aérea ocasiona síntomas como ronquido de gran intensidad, pausas en la respiración o sensación de ahogamiento durante el sueño. Por otra parte, se ha descrito en la literatura que el uso de benzodiacepinas empeora el ronquido y las pausas en la respiración, por lo que podría incrementar la duración y severidad del SAHOS. Reporte del caso: Mujer de 74 años de edad que acude a consulta a la Clínica de Sueño de la UNAM por sintomatología anímica, y al interrogarla sobre otros trastornos del dormir refiere ronquido intenso, interrumpido por períodos de silencio y pausas en la respiración, por lo que se le realizó polisomnografía nocturna dividida que arrojó el resultado de SAHOS grave. Discusión: El consumo de benzodiacepinas es muy frecuente en los adultos mayores. En este caso, la paciente llevaba ingiriendo 1.5 mg/día de clonazepam durante 8 años, por lo que podría haber empeorado el SAHOS. Conclusiones: La paciente tenía factores de riesgo para desarrollar el SAHOS. Es necesario estudiar más la asociación entre las benzodiacepinas y el empeoramiento del SAHOS.

Abstract Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is caused by an obstruction in the upper airway during sleep. Obesity and advanced age are main risk factors for OSAHS. The classic symptoms of OSAHS include snoring, apneas and choking during sleep. On the other hand, some scientific literature describes that the consumption of benzodiazepines may worsen the snoring and the severity and duration of OSAHS. Case report: A 74-year-old female reported on her appointment to have mood alterations. When asked about other sleep disorders, she said that she snored loudly, with pauses on her breathing. Therefore, a split night polysomnography was performed which revealed a diagnosis of severe OSAHS. Discussion: Old people are frequent consumers of benzodiazepines. The woman of this study had been taking 1.5 mg of clonazepam per day for the last eight years. This may have worsened the OSAHS. Conclusion: The patient presented risk factors that could lead to OSAHS. It is important to study the relationship between benzodiazepines and the severity of OSAHS.