Physiological and pharmacological factors of insomnia in HIV disease

Engagement in Care, Psychological Distress, and Resilience are Associated with Sleep Quality among HIV-Positive Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men

OBJECTIVES

We investigated risk and protective factors associated with sleep quality among a national sample of HIV-positive gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM).

DESIGN

This study reports on findings from both an eligibility survey and baseline assessment for an online HIV risk reduction intervention.

PARTICIPANTS

There were 16,466 completed eligibility surveys. A total of 1,205 eligible men completed a baseline assessment after consenting to participate in the intervention.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

Among participants with a completed eligibility survey, men with an HIV-positive status had significantly worse sleep quality and more frequent use of sleep medications during the past month than HIV-negative men. Within the intervention sample (n = 1,205 HIV-positive participants), men with symptoms of anxiety (Adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=2.80; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.93-4.06) and depression (AOR=1.66; CI: 1.14-2.43), and who reported a detectable viral load in the past six months (AOR=1.57; CI: 1.06-2.33) had increased odds of poor sleep quality after controlling for demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, ART use and adherence, substance use, and CD4 count. However, men with greater perceived resilience had decreased odds of reporting poor sleep quality during the past month (AOR=0.68; CI: 0.51-0.89).

CONCLUSIONS

Findings from this online study call for more attention to the role of sleep in immune system functioning and engagement in HIV care. Results further suggest a need to design and test culturally-appropriate sleep health interventions for GBMSM living with HIV that promote protective factors and target particular behavioral changes (i.e., stress reduction, substance use).

Physiological and Psychological Correlates of Sleep in HIV Infection

Insomnia, a common problem associated with HIV disease, is most likely caused by a multitude of factors. This study investigated the correlations between a selected group of physiological and psychological factors and sleep quality in an HIV-infected population. A convenience sample of 79 ethnically diverse HIV-positive adults, ages 24 to 63, completed a number of questionnaires and released their laboratory records for CD4+ cell count and viral load information. Variables significantly related to sleep quality were HIV-related symptoms, total pain, fatigue, depression, state anxiety, and the number of adults in the household. Findings support the need for health care providers to consider factors that contribute to impaired sleep when developing effective care for HIV-infected individuals with sleep disturbance.

Associated factors of sleep quality in HIV-positive individuals

ABSTRACT 

Objective: In the present study, sleep quality and associated factors have been evaluated in HIV-positive individuals. Methods: 150 HIV-positive and 50 non-HIV-positive people were included. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, somatization subscale of Symptom Checklist-90 were used for evaluation of sleep quality, anxiety, depression and physiological factors respectively. Results: Statistically significant differences were found regarding sleep quality (p < 0.001) between the HIV-positive and control group. There was significant direct correlation between sleep quality and each of somatization subscale of Symptom Checklist-90, depression and anxiety scores in HIV-positive individuals. Conclusion: Depression, anxiety and physical morbidity were detected as main factors that affect sleep quality in the HIV-positive individuals.

Oxytocin, social support, and sleep quality in low-income minority women living with HIV

Sleep disturbances are highly prevalent in women with HIV, and few studies examine potential protective factors that may reduce risk for sleep disturbances in this high-risk population. This study predicted that HIV-specific social support from various sources (i.e., friends, family members, and spouses), as well as oxytocin (OT), would explain sleep quality in 71 low-income minority women living with HIV. Social support from family members was associated with better sleep quality in women. For women with high OT, support from friends was associated with better sleep quality, whereas for women with low OT, support from friends was associated with poorer sleep quality. Women with low OT may not effectively interpret and utilize available support resources, which may be associated with sleep disturbances.

Spiritual well-being, sleep disturbance, and mental and physical health status in HIV-infected individuals

A growing body of evidence demonstrates a significant relationship between spirituality and health. HIV-infected individuals often find new meaning and purpose for their lives while establishing new connections and strengthening old ones. This descriptive, correlational study examined the relationships among spiritual well-being, sleep quality, and health status in 107 HIV-infected men and women. Spiritual well-being was found to be a significant factor related to both sleep quality and mental and physical health status. Every study participant reported sleep disturbance. The findings suggest that spiritual well-being and sleep quality need to be assessed so appropriate interventions can be implemented to improve health outcomes in this population.

Sleep disturbances among HIV-positive adults: the role of pain, stress, and social support

OBJECTIVE

Investigate the relationships between pain, stress, social support, and sleep disturbance among a diverse sample of HIV-positive adults.

METHOD

Participants (N = 146) completed self-report measures on pain, stress, social support, and sleep disturbance. CD4 T-cell count was obtained from medical records.

RESULTS

Greater pain and stress were associated with greater sleep disturbance. Greater assistance from friends was associated with greater sleep disturbance, whereas greater understanding from friends regarding participants' HIV-related stress was associated with less sleep disturbance.

CONCLUSION

As expected, pain was significantly associated with sleep disturbance. Additionally, psychosocial variables were strongly associated with sleep. The type of support from friends differentiated whether the support was positively or negatively associated with sleep problems. Social support, depending on the type, may not always be helpful for adults living with HIV/AIDS. Future studies need to examine factors that may mediate the relationship between psychosocial constructs and healthy sleep.

Effects of individualized acupuncture on sleep quality in HIV disease

Although it may begin at any point, sleep disturbance often appears early in HIV disease and contributes to decreased quality of life during the course of the illness. Relatively few studies have explored the complex nature of poor sleep quality in HIV disease or tested interventions to improve sleep quality. The purpose of this study was threefold: explore the nature of sleep quality in HIV disease, test the relationship between pain and sleep quality, and test the effectiveness of acupuncture delivered in a group setting for improving sleep quality in those who are HIV infected. A pretest, posttest, preexperimental design was used to test the effects of acupuncture on sleep quality. Participating in the study were 21 HIV-infected men and women between the ages of 29 and 50 years who reported sleep disturbance three or more times per week and who scored greater than 5 on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The Wrist Actigraph was used to measure sleep activity, and the Current Sleep Quality Index was used to measure sleep quality for 2 nights before and after a 5-week acupuncture intervention (10 treatments). Acupuncture was individualized to address insomnia and other symptoms reported by the participants. Sleep activity and sleep quality significantly improved following 5 weeks of individualized acupuncture delivered in a group setting.

Correlates of sleep quality in persons with HIV disease

This study used the Symptom Experience dimension of the revised UCSF Symptom Management Conceptual model to examine correlates of sleep quality in HIV-infected persons. According to this model, person, health/illness, and environment categories influence perception of a symptom. The average person in the sample (N = 58) reported being HIV-infected for 8.5 years and was 46 years old, not working, and a person of color. Depending on the level of data, either chi square or Pearson correlations were computed between the person, health/illness, and environment categories and the dependent variable, sleep quality, as measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Person variables significantly related to sleep quality were employment status, trait anxiety, and general well-being. Health/illness variables significantly related to sleep quality were length of time living with HIV disease and five health status measures (depressive symptoms, state anxiety, symptom severity, daytime sleepiness, and functional status). The environmental variables associated with sleep quality were sleeping alone, having a separate bedroom, and sleeping in a noisy room. Correlates of better sleep quality are positive general well-being, less anxious personality trait and emotional state, less daytime sleepiness, less depressive symptoms, and less symptom severity. Correlates of worse sleep quality are impaired functional status and longer duration of living with HIV disease.