Characteristics of sleep disorders in Romanian adults infected with human immunodeficiency virus

Sleep disorders commonly occur in chronic diseases and are a great impairment on the quality of life. The current study aims to characterize the sleep problems of a group of Romanian HIV positive patients. A cross sectional study assessed sleep disorders by a series of self-report questionnaires: STOP-BANG, Epworth Sleep Questionnaire and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Demographic data, antiretroviral therapy, Lymphocytes CD4 levels were collected from medical records. Exclusion criteria were illiteracy, severe neurocognitive dysfunction and depression. We included 102 patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus, age between 22 and 50, sex ratio M/F=1.17. Reported conditions related to sleep disorders were: smoking (50%), hypertension (18%), obesity (6%) and snoring (7%). The STOP-BANG scale indicated 19% intermediate risk and 2% high risk of sleep apnea. According to Epworth score, daytime sleepiness was found in 18% of patients, 2% of them were dangerously sleepy. The average global score of Pittsburg Sleep Questionnaire is indicative of poor sleep quality in 42% cases. No correlation of sleep scores with antiretroviral regimens was found. Sleep problems with negative impact on daily functioning are frequent under age 50, in patients with human immunodeficiency virus. The management of chronic co-morbidities and psychological support should improve sleep disorders related to human immunodeficiency virus.