Nocturnal dialysis and sleep

Q: Sleep quality in End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients undergoing home nocturnal hemodialysis usually improves.

A) True

B) False

Answer: A

Contrary to popular belief, sleep quality tends to improve during home nocturnal hemodialysis, with minimal disturbance. Preexisting sleep apnea shows significant improvement, with a notable decrease in apnea and hypopnea episodes (from 46 to 9 per hour). It also increases oxygen saturation, from the baseline average of 89.2% to 94.1%. 

Despite such improvement, no decrease in periodic limb movements and daytime sleepiness is noted.

#nephrology

#sleep

References:

1. Perl J, Unruh ML, Chan CT. Sleep disorders in end-stage renal disease: 'Markers of inadequate dialysis'? Kidney Int 2006; 70:1687.

2. Hanly PJ, Pierratos A. Improvement of sleep apnea in patients with chronic renal failure who undergo nocturnal hemodialysis. N Engl J Med 2001; 344:102.

3. Hanly PJ, Gabor JY, Chan C, Pierratos A. Daytime sleepiness in patients with CRF: impact of nocturnal hemodialysis. Am J Kidney Dis 2003; 41:403.