title: Sleeping problems among Chinese heroin-dependent individuals.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Heroin abuse is a major public health problem with high morbidity and mortality. Treatment-seeking heroin-dependent subjects frequently report sleep-related problems that contribute to high relapse rates. Few studies have systematically studied the prevalence of sleep disorders among Chinese heroin-dependent subjects.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to explore the prevalence of sleep disorders with a battery of self-reported questionnaires in 140 heroin-dependent subjects in China.
  
  
  METHODS
  A self-report survey design was used to gather the data, using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Zung's Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and Zung's Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS). A total of 140 drug users participated in the survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PSQI results revealed that poor sleep quality (PSQI ≥ 8) was noted in 130 (96.30%) subjects. Those who displayed depressive symptoms, smoked and drank excessively, and had long-term histories of drug use had poorer sleep quality than those who did not. No correlation was found between anxiety, quantity of drugs, and sleeping disorders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study found that the majority of heroin-dependent patients reported poor sleep quality. Depression, smoking, drinking, and long-term drug use were associated with poor sleep quality in heroin-dependent individuals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the fact that this study collected data only using self-report measures, focused only on heroin-dependent patients, and did not include long-term follow-up study, given the potential link between poor sleep quality and relapse, factoring in this link is an important consideration as part of a comprehensive heroin-dependent treatment program.
authors: Mental Health Institute, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan, China.
authors: Yanhui
authors: Y
authors: Liao
authors: Jinsong
authors: J
authors: Tang
authors: Tieqiao
authors: T
authors: Liu
authors: Xiaogang
authors: X
authors: Chen
authors: Tao
authors: T
authors: Luo
authors: Wei
authors: W
authors: Hao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology; D044466:Asian People / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D057566:Self Report; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D008691:Methadone