Efficacy and tolerability of Zolpidem in a group of Venezuelan patients with insomnia undergoing hemodialysis

• Published in: Sleep medicine 2013-12, Vol.14, p.e204-e204
• Main Authors: Medina, O, Rojas, G, Santos, E, Moreno, C, Paolini, M, Sánchez-Mora, N
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Neurology; Sleep Medicine
• ISSN: 1389-9457; 1878-5506
• DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2013.11.486

Introduction Assessing the efficacy and tolerability of a simple dose of Zolpidem LC in a group of patients undergoing hemodialysis and afflicted by insomnia. Materials and methods A screening test was performed on patients of the hemodialysis unit at the Central Hospital and the Social Security Hospital in San Cristobal, Venezuela. The patients included had scored 5 or above in the Athens Insomnia Scale, and had not received treatment for insomnia in at least the last three months. During week 1, a simple dose of placebo was administered to all patients; during week 2, a 12.5 mg simple dose of Zolpidem LC was given to patients under 65 years old and a 6.25 mg dose to patients above 65 years old. The following instruments were applied: the Athens Insomnia Scale, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the International Restless Legs Scale, the Beck Inventory for Depression, and the UKU Side Effect Rating Scale. Results One hundred and thirty-three patients were evaluated and 24 were included in the study. The average age was 57.33 (24–83). Males represented the 58.3%. The average time of hemodialysis was 3.92 months and the time with insomnia 12.92 months. Scores for the Athens scale during the basal period and after Zolpidem were 12.58 versus 4.63 ( p < 0.0001) and after Zolpidem as compared to placebo 9.50 versus 11.75 ( p < 0.0001). Sleep latency with Zolpidem was 42.08 min, as compared to the basal latency, which equaled 79.17 min ( p = 0.035), whereas placebo latency was 68.96 min ( p = 0.133). Sleep hours with Zolpidem were 6.29 as compared to basal 3.68 ( p < 0.0001) and to placebo 4.81 ( p = 0.004). The most frequent side effect was drowsiness (4.10%). Conclusion After a simple dose, Zolpidem improved the different sleep patterns of the patients with insomnia undergoing hemodialysis, such as sleep latency and number of sleep hours, being well tolerated. Zolpidem LC could represent an alternative to be taken into account in this group of patients. Acknowledgements Department of Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine, University of Los Andes, San Cristóbal, Venezuela.