title: Sleep quality and the use of benzodiazepine hypnotics in general practice.
abstract: The aim of the study was to determine the usage patterns of benzodiazepine hypnotics, the use of other ways of improving sleep and general sleep characteristics in patients prescribed these drugs on a regular basis and in a control group of age- and sex-matched patients not receiving hypnotics. Patients receiving regular benzodiazepine hypnotic prescriptions and a control group matched for age and sex were identified from a general practice computer. They were interviewed in their own homes about their habits relating to sleep, hypnotic use and attitudes to sleep and hypnotics. None of the recommended methods of improving sleep differed significantly in frequency between the two groups or had an effect on sleep parameters. Only daytime napping was found to be slightly more frequent in hypnotic users, but had no apparent effect on self-estimates of sleep duration or latency. The hypnotic users claimed a longer sleep latency and a shorter sleep duration than non-users. More patients who took hypnotics also perceived them to be beneficial and more convenient than other ways of promoting sleep. The recommendation of sleep-promoting methods such as caffeine and alcohol avoidance and regular exercise may not be helpful in patients attempting to avoid hypnotics, as many patients already claim to use such methods.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, U.K.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Krska
authors.forename: T N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: MacLeod
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D001290:Attitude; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001601:Bereavement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000188:drug therapy; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D012737:Sex Factors; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects*; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D001569:Benzodiazepines