title: The effect of zolpidem on sleep quality, stress status, and nondipping hypertension.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Poor sleep quality and stress status have previously been shown to be closely associated with higher activation of the sympathetic nervous system and to be independent predictors of nondipping hypertension. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the non-hypotensive sedative zolpidem on sleep quality, stress status, and nondipping hypertension.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 103 nondippers were defined as poor or good sleepers by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. They were randomized to receive zolpidem or placebo treatment for 30 days. Stress status was assessed by the Perceived Stress Scale, and levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine were examined to investigate the underlying mechanisms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Poor sleepers treated with zolpidem for 30 days showed significant improvements in sleep quality and stress levels (P<0.01). More nondippers were converted to dippers in the group of poor sleepers treated with zolpidem (11 of 22 patients, 50.0%) than in the placebo (2 of 23, 8.7%) (P<0.01). Epinephrine and norepinephrine levels were significantly reduced in poor sleepers treated with zolpidem (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study suggest that zolpidem can improve sleep quality and stress status, and can convert nondippers with poor sleep quality into dippers. It may be an option for treating nondipping hypertensive patients with poor sleep quality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, The First People's Hospital of Shunde, Foshan, PR China.
authors.forename: Yuli
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Weiyi
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Mai
authors.forename: Xiaoyan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Yunzhao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Yuanbin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Ruofeng
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.forename: Yanxian
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kuang
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D018660:Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011725:Pyridines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000077334:Zolpidem
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D011725:Pyridines; D000077334:Zolpidem; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine