SLOW-WAVE SLEEP AND CYCLIC ALTERNATING PATTERN (CAP) IN HIV-INFECTED ASYMPTOMATIC MEN

Alterations of sleep structure have been reported in asymptomatic huma n immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected subjects. In these patients so me authors have found an increased percentage of slow wave sleep (SWS) and a SWS preponderance in the second half of the night, as well as s ubjective sleep complaints. Other authors have found an increased stag e 1 non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and reduced stage 2 NREM percentages in asymptomatic subjects. We evaluated the macrostructure and the mic rostructure (cyclic alternating pattern, CAP) of sleep in nine HIV-inf ected asymptomatic men without sleep complaints or psychiatric illness , in comparison with nine age-matched controls. Our study showed a dec reased amount of SWS and a significantly higher CAP rate in HIV-subjec ts, suggesting an altered organization of the sleep process in these p atients.