OBJECTIVE: To assess recently alcohol-abstinent chronic alcoholic patients for selected parameters indicative of sleep quality. METHOD: Patients (n = 24, 14 male), abstinent 3-6 weeks, and healthy controls (n = 20) were admitted to a clinical sleep unit. Measurements included sleep respiratory events and periodic limb movements, using strict methodology. RESULTS: Clear signs of sleep deterioration and a high prevalence of apneic/hypopneic episodes were observed. Apneas were found at the same frequency for men and women; this has not been described before. No periodic limb movement was found. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the high degree of morbidity and mortality observed in sleep apneic syndrome, systematic screening for sleep apneas is recommended for alcoholics seeking help.
OBJECTIVE: To assess recently alcohol-abstinent chronic alcoholicpatients for selected parameters indicative of sleep quality. METHOD:Patients (n = 24, 14 male), abstinent 3-6 weeks, and healthy controls (n = 20) were admitted to a clinical sleep unit. Measurements included sleep respiratory events and periodic limb movements, using strict methodology. RESULTS: Clear signs of sleep deterioration and a high prevalence of apneic/hypopneic episodes were observed. Apneas were found at the same frequency for men and women; this has not been described before. No periodic limb movement was found. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the high degree of morbidity and mortality observed in sleep apneic syndrome, systematic screening for sleep apneas is recommended for alcoholics seeking help.
Authors: Daniel J Levendowski; Nadene Zack; Srini Rao; Keith Wong; Michael Gendreau; Jay Kranzler; Timothy Zavora; Philip R Westbrook Journal: Sleep Breath Date: 2008-09-03 Impact factor: 2.816