Sleep quality and circadian rhythm disruption in the intensive care unit: a review

Nov 30, 2017Nature and science of sleep

How Sleep Quality and Body Clock Problems Change in Intensive Care Patients

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Abstract

Sleep and circadian rhythm are reported to be severely abnormal in critically ill patients.

Disturbed sleep can lead to delirium, which may prolong ICU stay and increase mortality.
Many critically ill patients show an absence of normal sleep characteristics in assessments.
A modified classification for sleep scoring in critically ill patients has been proposed but remains unvalidated.
Factors such as the ICU environment, mechanical ventilation, and medications are associated with sleep disturbances.
The secretion of melatonin, a hormone linked to sleep regulation, may be abolished or phase delayed in these patients.
Inconclusive results from interventions aiming to improve sleep quality stem from limitations in sleep assessment methods.

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Sleep and circadian rhythm are reported to be severely abnormal in critically ill patients. Disturbed sleep can lead to the development of delirium and, as a result, can be associated with prolonged stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) and increased mortality. The standard criterion method of sleep assessment, (PSG), is complicated in critically ill patients due to the practical challenges and interpretation difficulties. Several PSG sleep studies in the ICU reported the absence of normal sleep characteristics in many critically ill patients, making the standard method of sleep scoring insufficient in this patient group. Watson et al proposed a modified classification for sleep scoring in critically ill patients. This classification has not yet been validated. Sleep disturbance in the ICU is a multifactorial problem. The ICU environment, mechanical ventilation, medication, as well as the critical illness itself have been reported as important sleep disturbing factors. Secretion of sleep hormone, melatonin, expressing circadian rhythmicity was found abolished or phase delayed in critically ill patients. Various interventions have been tested in several studies aiming to improve sleep quality and circadian rhythm in the ICU. The results of these studies were inconclusive due to using the sleep assessment methods other than PSG or the absence of a reliable sleep scoring tool for the analysis of the PSG findings in this patient population. Development of a valid sleep scoring classification is essential for further sleep research in critically ill patients.

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Sleep quality and circadian rhythm disruption in the intensive care unit: a review

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