Profile of paediatric sleep patients and polysomnography findings: Experience from an exclusive paediatric sleep clinic in India

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to describe the profile of patients attending an exclusive paediatric sleep clinic in India. Materials and Methods: Children aged 1 month–18 years, attending an exclusive paediatric sleep clinic, were assessed using standardized questionnaires. Children underwent sleep coaching, were treated medically, or underwent polysomnography based on the decision of the paediatric pulmonologist. Level 1 polysomnography was conducted by trained personnel. Results: Of 186 children, 36.5% were for infant sleep issues, 24.7% suspected obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), 18.2% neuromuscular diseases with sleep problems, 15.6% genetic disorders with sleep problems, 4.3% parasomnias, and 0.5% abnormal movements during sleep. Of the 85 paediatric polysomnographies conducted, 9.4% were normal studies, 87% had OSA, 1.1% restless leg syndrome, and 2.3% were inadequate studies. Conclusion: Sleep disorders in children are not uncommon and paediatricians need to be aware and identify them early. More number of exclusive paediatric sleep clinics need to be established in India.

Investigating the Effect of Cold Water Bags on the Severity of Restless Leg Syndrome and Sleep Quality in Hemodialysis Patients

Background: Restless legs syndrome is a neurological disorder in hemodialysis patients that causes disturbance and disability in rest, discomfort, sleep disturbance, fatigue, and stress. Objectives: This study was done to evaluate the effect of cold water bags on the severity of restless leg syndrome and sleep quality in hemodialysis patients. Methods: This is a quasi-experimental study (before and after) performed on patients referring to three hospitals in Yazd province. In this study, 40 patients with restless legs syndrome were selected from all patients who were referred to the hemodialysis ward by simple random sampling. The samples completed the Restless Legs Syndrome Symptoms Severity Questionnaire before and after using the cold water bag. Data were analyzed by SPSS 20 software and descriptive statistics and paired t-test at the significance level of < 0.05. Results: This study showed a significant difference between the mean score of restless leg syndrome and sleep quality before and after the interventions (P = 0.000). Furthermore, the mean scores of restless leg syndrome and sleep quality were different between the two intervention groups and statistically significant (P = 0.000). Conclusions: Based on the results, using a water bag reduces the symptoms of restless leg syndrome. Therefore, it is suggested that cold water bags should be used as an effective, safe, low-cost method.

Synthesis and Evaluation of Cyclic Diamino Benzamide Based D3 Receptor Ligands

Dopamine (1) is a key neurotransmitter whose impact on pharmacological processes is mediated by a family of dopamine receptors designated D1, D2, D3, D4, and D5. Various diseases and conditions such as schizophrenia, drug abuse, depression, restless leg syndrome, Parkinson’s disease (PD), and inflammatory diseases have been linked to aberrant D3 activity. Herein, we report a series of novel D3 ligands with improved solubility over our previous lead compound, MC25-41 (2).

Common sleep disorders in women

Sleep disturbances contribute to a high frequency of mental health and cardiovascular diseases with significant gender differences. Women have a higher incidence than men of insomnia and are more likely than men to complain of insomnia, headache, irritability, and fatigue than the ‘‘typical’’ symptoms of loud snoring and apneas during sleep. Reproductive hormones play an important role in sleep in women. In the premenopausal age these hormones have a protective effect on sleep apnea while on pregnancy there is a higher prevalence of sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome. Cardiovascular mortality is high in women with obstructive sleep apnea and continuous positive airway pressure therapy improves outcomes in most cases of obstructive sleep apnea. The epidemiology, risk factors, diagnostic criteria, and therapies for the three most common sleep disorders (insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, and restless leg syndrome), along with effects of menopause, pregnancy, and social factors on sleep in women, are key considerations for clinicians caring for female patients across the adult life span.