title: The prevalence, key causes and management of insomnia in palliative care patients.
abstract: In a prospective audit, the prevalence, key causes and treatment of insomnia prior to admission were evaluated in a population of hospice patients using a questionnaire based on a review article of key features related to insomnia in the palliative care setting. Seventy-four patients completed the questionnaire. Fifty-two (70%) patients had insomnia symptoms. Uncontrolled physical symptoms, most often pain (15 patients), were the commonest cause of insomnia, cited by 31 (60%) sleep-disturbed patients. Thirteen (62%) of 21 patients who had been prescribed hypnotic medication reported an improvement with the prescribed medication. Twenty (38%) of the 52 patients with insomnia suggested that improved symptom control would improve their sleep, and only two (4%) suggested the need for more hypnotic medication. We conclude that insomnia is a common symptom in terminally ill patients and that improved symptom control should be a priority in the management of insomnia in this group of patients.
authors.affiliation: Marie Curie Center, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Heino
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hugel
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Ellershaw
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Skinner
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Irvine
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006738:Hospices; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care; D015995:Prevalence; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires