Effect of Alprazolam Versus Pregabalin on Sleep Quality in Patients of Chronic Kidney Disease

Abstract

Objective: To assess sleep quality in patients of Chronic Kidney Disease using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score and to compare the effects of Alprazolam and Pregabalin in patients having poor sleep quality. Study Design: Quasi-experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Nephrology Department of Combined Military Hospital, Karachi Pakistan, from Oct 2021 to Mar 2022. Methodology: A total of 127 individuals coming to Nephrology Department diagnosed with chronic kidney disease were included. Sleep quality was assessed using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score. Age, gender, duration of Chronic Kidney Disease and history of Diabetes, Hypertension and Cardiovascular disease were recorded. Those individuals having poor sleep quality were started randomly on either Alprazolam 0.5 mg and Pregabalin 75 mg daily. Effects of these drugs were assessed by determining Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index two months after administration of these drugs. Results: Out of 127 individuals, 82(64.5%) had poor quality sleep characterized by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index ≥5 at the time of presentation. Among them, 40(48.7%) were male and 42(51.3%) were female, 46(56.1%) had history of Diabetes Mellitus, 48(58.5%) had history of Hypertension and 31(37.8%) had history of Cardiovascular disease. Forty-one were started on Alprazolam and 41 on Pregabalin. No statistically significant difference was found in the sleep quality between groups at the end of two months of regular treatment (p-value =0.088). Conclusion: Sleep disturbances are present in majority of the patients of Chronic Kidney Disease. Both Alprazolam and Pregabalin can be used to treat sleep related disorders in these patients.

Keywords

• Chronic kidney disease, Hemodialysis, Sleep quality.