Sleep medicine
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Shift work disorder (SWD) is characterized by symptoms of excessive sleepiness during work hours or insomnia during allotted daytime sleep hours, as well as by a disruption of the circadian rhythm. Many shift workers with SWD experience significant social, behavioral, and health problems as a result of this disorder. SWD is associated with a higher risk of occupational and motor vehicle accidents, and thus poses a public health risk. ⋯ While no therapies (pharmacological or nonpharmacological) can restore altered circadian cycles to baseline levels, proper identification and management of SWD will likely reduce its co-morbidities and improve the quality of life for individuals with this disorder.
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Clinical Trial
Positional therapy for obstructive sleep apnea: an objective measurement of patients' usage and efficacy at home.
Positional therapy that prevents patients from sleeping supine has been used for many years to manage positional obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, patients' usage at home and the long term efficacy of this therapy have never been objectively assessed. ⋯ Selected patients with positional OSA can be effectively treated by a positional therapy with an objective compliance of 73.7% of the nights and a persistent efficacy after three months.
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We conducted a retrospective chart review of children with restless legs syndrome (RLS) to evaluate the efficacy of oral iron treatment, which was administered open-label during the course of clinical care. In addition, we provided detailed clinical information about RLS in this pediatric cohort. ⋯ Iron treatment could be effective in Japanese pediatric RLS.
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To characterize the verbal descriptors of the sensations in restless legs syndrome (RLS) in depth. ⋯ RLS is a primary sensory disorder without any pure motor form. The sensory descriptors in RLS could be similar to those of neuropathic pain, except for rare cold and numbness sensations.