Biomedical subjects

S Simen

Publications and source records attributed to S Simen.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1996

[Ambulatory, comprehensive, behavior therapy-oriented weight reduction program (Optifast Program). An alternative therapy in obstructive sleep apnea].

We investigated the therapeutic effect of marked body weight reduction on the predominantly obstructive sleep apnea syndrome by the application of an out-patient, behaviour therapy based body weight reduction program (Optifast-program) in five of our obese apnea patients (mean overweight by Broca 53.6 +/- 24.8 kg). Mean body weight reduction was 32.7 +/- 15.8 kg after six months. The mean apnea-index of 34.5 +/- 23.1/h prior to the weight reduction dropped to 7.8 +/- 6.1/h after therapy. The mean apnea-hypopnea-index (so called "respiratory disturbance index", RDI) could be reduced from 45,7 +/- 26.0/h to 14.0 +/- 11.4/h. The best therapeutic effect on the sleep related respiratory parameters was seen in patients who reached their normal weight whereas the absolute weight reduction itself seems to be less important. Our results should encourage this causal therapy in appropriate patients.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

[Sleep complaints and hypnotic use by the elderly--results of a representative survey in West Germany].

For the first time, a country-wide group of West-Germans were interviewed regarding their sleep complaints and hypnotic intake. Therefore 344 persons who were older than 65 years and 1653 subjects between the age of 14 and 65 years were representatively selected by a random route system. Around the age of 45 the prevalence of sleep-disturbances starts rising continuously and dramatically. Over the age of 65 nearly half of the West-Germans (43%) suffer from difficulties in initiating and/or maintaining sleep (DIMS) at least sometimes, 15% suffer frequently or always from these complaints. 79% of the sleep disturbed elderly (over the age of 65) are chronically ill, having sleep-complaints for more than 2 years or since childhood. The hypnotika intake increases with age as well. Around 45 years of age the irregular hypnotika intake (several times the year or month), and after 55 years of age, regular hypnotic intake (daily or several times the week) rapidly rises. After 65 years of age hypnotic intake increases much more than the sleep complaints do. So, every third elderly person (34%) takes hypnotics at least irregularly. The results of this study indicate that sleep complaints in the elderly are three times more common and more severe than in younger persons, and that they tend to chronify while treated with hypnotics.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

[Chronification of sleep disorders. Results of a representative survey in West Germany].

In a representative selection of German citizens who were older than 13 years of age, 1,997 were asked about their sleep complaints. They were also asked how frequently a physician was consulted and how often sleeping pills were taken. According to our results sleep disturbances are an important health problem in Germany. Every fourth person suffers at least sometimes from difficulties in falling asleep and/or staying asleep, problems which are not due to external influences. Seven percent suffer frequently or always from these complaints; 15% report that they are frequently tired or that they are always tired during the day. Ten percent of all persons suffering from sleep complaints take sleeping pills daily or at least sometimes during the week. Forty-five percent of all persons who take hypnotics daily still frequently or always suffer from difficulties in falling asleep and/or staying asleep. Furthermore, sleep complaints tend to become chronic: 75% of the sleep-disturbed population are chronically ill, having had complaints for more than 2 years of since childhood. They suffer from sleep disturbances and from reduced performance during the following day. Nevertheless, it appears as though neither patients nor physicians take insomnia seriously. This might answer the question of why only 17% of the persons who do not suffer more than 2 years from sleep disturbances and only 49% of the chronically ill population consult a doctor because of their sleep disturbances. The results of this study indicate the importance of informing patients and physicians about insomnia and different ways of treating it.

Adolescent↗