Sleep complaints and sleep disordered breathing in hemodialysis patients

Background: The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of s leep complaints and of sleep disordered breathing (SDB) in hemodialysis pat ients not selected for sleep complaints and to determine the effect of hemo dialysis on SDB. The feasibility of home recording of sleep related respira tion in these patients was also studied. Methods: The patients completed a questionnaire and parameters of SDB were examined in the home setting on nights following dialysis and nights follow ing no dialysis with the Edentrace II Recording System. Results: Six (46%) of 13 patients had sleep complaints. Symptoms suggestive for sleep apnea syndrome were found in four (31%) of these 13 patients. In three (75%) of these four patients SDB was found. Sleep related respiratio n was monitored in 15 patients. Registrations satisfactory for interpretati on were obtained in all patients. SDB was observed in five (33%) of these 1 5 patients. There were no significant differences in parameters of SDB betw een nights following dialysis and nights following no dialysis. Conclusions: Home recording of sleep related respiration in hemodialysis pa tients is feasible. Sleep complaints and SDB are common in these patients. No clinically significant differences in SDB were found between nights foll owing dialysis and nights following no dialysis. (See Editorials p, 184, 18 8 and Original article p, 202) (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights re served.