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Published on: August 18, 2023
Sleep-wake disorders in veterans with opioid use disorder: Prevalence and comorbidities
Muhammet Celik1, Danielle Cosentino2, Brian Fuehrlein3
1Mental Health Service Line, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA.
Objective:
To determine the prevalence of sleep-wake disorders among veterans with opioid use disorder (OUD) and the demographic characteristics, medical comorbidities, and outpatient medications in this group.
Methods:
US veterans seeking care in the VA Connecticut Healthcare System between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2021 with a diagnosis of OUD (N = 5937) were analyzed retrospectively for sleep-wake disorders (N = 1447). That group was analyzed for demographic characteristics, comorbidities, and medications.
Results:
Of those with OUD, 24.4% had a diagnosis of any sleep-wake disorder. The most common was obstructive sleep apnea (73.7%). Major depressive disorder (68.6%) and hypertension (67.1%) were the most common comorbid conditions. Commonly prescribed medications included antidepressants (91%) and benzodiazepines (62%).
Conclusions:
Veterans with OUD frequently suffer from sleep-wake disorders. Comorbid medical and psychiatric conditions and the detrimental effects of specific medication classes should be considered in this patient population to create more effective prevention and treatment strategies.
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