from Physician's First Watch for September 19, 2006
David G. Fairchild, MD, MPH, Editor-in-Chief
Quote:
Archives Devotes an Issue to Sleep Disorders
Several articles and an editorial in the current Archives of Internal Medicine highlight the bidirectional relation between sleep disorders and poor health.
Among the findings:
-- Allergic rhinitis seems to impair all aspects of sleep, with more severe rhinitis associated with significantly greater sleep impairment.
-- In patients with type 2 diabetes, self-reported short sleep duration and poor sleep quality were predictive of poorer glycemic control.
-- The risk for development of depression appears to increase significantly with the severity of sleep apnea.
-- Patients with heart failure and either reduced sleep, obstructive sleep apnea, or both reported less sleepiness compared with a community sample.
-- Sildenafil (Viagra) appears to aggravate respiratory problems in patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea.
The editorialists argue that sleep should be considered as important to health as exercise and nutrition and conclude that "at the very least, assessment of sleep quantity and quality should be integrated into the routine review of systems."
Archives of Internal Medicine editorial (Subscription required)
Archives of Internal Medicine sleep theme issue table of contents (Free abstracts; full text requires subscription)
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