Abstract Details

Title Sleep Characteristics in Active Duty Service Members with PTSD: Novel Findings and Implications

Topic Sleep

Presentation(s) P1 - Poster Session 1 (12:00 PM-1:00 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 5-006

Objective

To compare objective and subjective sleep variables in Active Duty Service Members (ADSMs) with and without post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Background Sleep is increasingly recognized as a marker of overall psychological health and resilience. Sleep complaints are also a hallmark of PTSD. Additionally, sleep disorders may be implicated in the underlying pathophysiology of PTSD and not just a consequence of the disease.

Design/Methods This is a case-controlled observational cohort from the Sleep Disorders Center of an academic military medical center. Sleep-related questionnaires (Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Insomnia Severity Index, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) and polysomnographic (PSG) data were obtained.

Results One hundred sixty nine ADSMs underwent sleep evaluations. Of these, 43 had PTSD compared to 126 without PTSD. In patients with PTSD vs no PTSD, there was no significant difference in the rate of obstructive sleep apnea (60.47% vs 65.88% p=0.52) or mean apnea-hypopnea index (10.86/hr vs 14.32/hr, p=0.17). There was also no significant difference in patients with PTSD vs no PTSD for mean total sleep time (341.15 minutes vs 349.16 minutes, p=0.599), sleep efficiency (83% vs 84%, p=0.73), rapid eye movement (REM) sleep percentage (18% vs 17%, p=0.84), or any other objective sleep variable on PSG that was analyzed. Subjective sleepiness was similar between those with PTSD and no PTSD (ESS 12.88 vs 11.88 p=0.35). However, subjective insomnia symptoms and perceived sleep quality were worse in those with PTSD vs no PTSD (ISI 20.36 vs 15.18 p=<0.0001; PSQI 15.43 vs 11.05 p=<0.0001).

Conclusions In a relatively young ADSM cohort, we found that patients with PTSD had more subjective complaints about sleep compared to those without PTSD but objective sleep parameters on PSG did not statistically differ between these two groups. This suggests a sleep-state misperception in patients with PTSD that is present at a relatively young age.

Authors/Disclosures
Brent Jacobus II, MD PRESENTER	Dr. Jacobus has nothing to disclose.
Adam M. Willis, MD	The institution of Dr. Willis has received research support from Air Force. Dr. Willis has received intellectual property interests from a discovery or technology relating to health care.
Vincent Mysliwiec	No disclosure on file
Matthew Brock, MD (United States Air Force)	Dr. Brock has received research support from Department of Defense, Defense Health Program, Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs.