Predictors of sleep paralysis and relationship of sleep paralysis with sleep quality in university students of Islamabad.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of sleep paralysis among university students, and to determine the association between sleep paralysis and sleep quality along with different predictive factors leading to sleep paralysis. METHODS: The descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the National University of Modern Languages, Islamabad, Pakistan, from June to October, 2019, and comprised adult students of either gender who had experienced at least one episode of sleep paralysis in the past. Demographic variables were obtained using Google Form, while experiences of sleep paralysis were assessed using the Waterloo Unusual Sleep Experience Questionnaire, and sleep quality was assessed with the Sleep Condition Indicator. Data was analysed using SPSS 20. RESULTS: Initially, 440 students were assessed/ Of them, 233(53%) were males, 207(47%) were females, 208(47.3%) were aged 20-23 years, and 129(29.3%) were studying in the third year of their university programme. Of the total, 130(29.5%) subjects had experienced sleep paralysis at least once in their lifetime. The most frequent sensation experienced was feeling of floating 22(16.9%). Mean age at the time of the first experience was 9.7±3.1 years, and 66(50.8%) had experienced the episodes while lying on their back, while 32(24.6%) had positive family history of sleep paralysis. Sleep paralysis had significant relationship with sleep quality (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: About one-third of the sample had experienced sleep paralysis once in their lifetime. The relationship between sleep paralysis and insomnia was significant.

Awareness of diabetic retinopathy among diabetic patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the awareness of diabetic patients about diabetic retinopathy. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Ophthalmology Department, Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from April 2018 to April 2019, and comprised diabetic patients of either gender aged 21-80 years. A pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic, diabetes and diabetic retinopathy characteristics. Fundoscopic examination was done, and the presence and stage of diabetic retinopathy were documented. Data was analysed using SPSS 20. RESULTS: Of the 132 subjects, 9(6.8%) were male and 123(93.2%) were females. The majority 64(48.5%) was aged 61-80 years. Overall, 74(56.1%) patients were aware that diabetes could affect their eyes, 57(43.2%) were never diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy, 76(57.6%) had gained information about diabetic retinopathy from ophthalmologists, 61(46.2%) and 29(22%) respondents reported that eyes should be examined 'only when vision is affected' and 'every 6 months' respectively, 98(74.2%) said the biggest barrier in getting eyes examined earlier was 'lack of knowledge', 23(17.4%) believed surgery was done for diabetic retinopathy treatment and 33(25%) believed that surgery, laser and injections all can be used. Significant relationship of diabetic retinopathy was found with duration of diabetes and the general health status (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Though more than half the patients were aware that diabetes could affect the eyes, awareness of diabetic retinopathy and its consequences was low.