SLEEP IN DETOXIFIED ALCOHOLICS - IMPAIRMENT OF MOST STANDARD SLEEP PARAMETERS AND INCREASED RISK FOR SLEEP-APNEA, BUT NOT FOR MYOCLONIAS - A CONTROLLED-STUDY

Objective: To assess recently alcohol-abstinent chronic alcoholic pati ents for selected parameters indicative of sleep quality. Method: Pati ents (n = 24, 14 male), abstinent 3-6 weeks, and healthy controls (n = 20) were admitted to a clinical sleep unit. Measurements included sle ep respiratory events and periodic limb movements, using strict method ology. Results: Clear signs of sleep deterioration and a high prevalen ce of apneic/hypopneic episodes were observed. Apneas were found at th e same frequency for men and women; this has not been described before . No periodic limb movement was found. Conclusions: Considering the hi gh degree of morbidity and mortality observed in sleep apneic syndrome , systematic screening for sleep apneas is recommended for alcoholics seeking help.