Zaleplon improves sleep quality in maintenance hemodialysis patients.
OBJECTIVE
A recent survey has shown that insomnia is still a very common problem in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. The aim of the present study was to test the effects of zaleplon (ZAL), a new nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic drug, on the sleep quality of MHD patients with insomnia.


METHODS
The sleep quality was assessed by the Pittsburgh questionnaire in 10 patients (6 males/4 females) with insomnia on MHD; these patients underwent a randomized double-blind crossover study versus placebo (PLA). The main exclusion criterion was the presence of any possible cause of insomnia related to other concurrent diseases.


RESULTS
Treatment with ZAL significantly improved the total score of sleep quality (p < 0.03 vs. PLA). The analysis of the single components revealed that treatment with ZAL was associated with a higher subjective sleep quality (p < 0.01 vs. PLA) and a reduced sleep latency (p < 0.01 vs. PLA). The duration of sleep was not modified by ZAL, whereas a significant improvement was detected in habitual sleep efficacy (p < 0.05 vs. PLA). No peculiar side effect was recorded on ZAL. Blood parameters did not change, nor were differences recorded in the dialysis parameters (body weight gain, blood pressure) throughout the study.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that ZAL has a positive effect on the sleep quality in MHD patients. The absence of side effects and its pharmacodynamic properties make ZAL a useful drug in uremic patients.
Sabbatini
Massimo
M
Department of Nephrology, University Federico II, Naples, Italy. sabbatin@unina.it
Crispo
Anna
A
Pisani
Antonio
A
Ragosta
Annalisa
A
Cesaro
Antonio
A
Mirenghi
Francesco
F
Cianciaruso
Bruno
B
Federico
Stefano
S
D000081:Acetamides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects*; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014511:Uremia / Q000628:therapy
D000081:Acetamides; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D011743:Pyrimidines; C085665:zaleplon