Effects of gabapentin on sleep in menopausal women with hot flashes as measured by a Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index factor scoring model.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this research was to analyze gabapentin's effect on Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores in menopausal women.


METHODS
Secondary analysis of data from a cohort of menopausal women participating in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of gabapentin 300 mg three times daily (TID) for hot flashes. The outcomes of interest were PSQI global and factor scores at weeks 4 and 12.


RESULTS
Subjects randomized to gabapentin demonstrated improvement in the sleep quality factor score, compared to placebo-treated subjects, at 4 and 12 weeks (p < 0.03). There was also gabapentin-associated improvement in the global PSQI score (p = 0.004) and the sleep efficiency factor score (p = 0.05) at 4 weeks. There was no significant effect of gabapentin on the daily disturbance factor score.


CONCLUSIONS
Gabapentin may improve sleep quality in menopausal women with hot flashes. These results warrant further prospective investigation, with an emphasis on measuring subjective sleep quality and maintenance.
Yurcheshen
Michael E
ME
Department of Neurology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Strong Sleep Disorders Center, Rochester, New York 14618, USA. Michael_Yurcheshen@urmc.rochester.edu
Guttuso
Thomas
T
McDermott
Michael
M
Holloway
Robert G
RG
Perlis
Michael
M
D000328:Adult; D000588:Amines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D000077206:Gabapentin; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016387:Women's Health; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000588:Amines; D000700:Analgesics; D003509:Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077206:Gabapentin