title: Sleep disturbances among patients with epilepsy in Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is a complex inter-relationship between sleep disorders and epilepsy, and there are few studies in Nigeria on sleep disorders in epilepsy. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence, pattern and predictors of sleep disturbances among persons with epilepsy (PWE).
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a multi-center, cross-sectional study of 124 PWE in Nigeria. A questionnaire was used to collect data on social and demographic variables, epilepsy- related variables and sleep disturbances in PWE. Exclusion criteria were mental retardation, and use of sedative drugs. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 11.0 and P < 0.05 was considered as significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 77 males and 47 females with a mean age of 33.4 ± 13.1 years. The mean age of seizure onset was 23.7 ± 14.6 years, while the mean duration of epilepsy was 9.5 ± 9.4 years. The commonest type of epilepsy was secondarily generalized tonic-clonic seizures (62%). The prevalence of sleep disorders in PWE was 82%. Parasomnias occurred in 46%, followed by obstructive sleep apnea in 23%, insomnia (19%) excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) (17%), and restless leg syndrome (11%). None of the socio-demographic or epilepsy- related variables was predictive of EDS or parasomnias in PWE (P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a high frequency of sleep disorders among PWE. Clinicians should screen PWE for sleep disturbances.
authors.forename: Morenikeji A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Komolafe
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Federal Medical Centre, Owo, Ondo, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Taofiki Ajao
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Sunmonu
authors.forename: Olubunmi A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Ogunrin
authors.forename: Jimoh O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Disu
authors.forename: Birinus A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Ezeala
authors.forename: Sani A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Abubakar
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Iwuoso
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012640:Seizures / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012894:Sleep Stages / Q000502:physiology*; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants