Sedation impacts patient functioning and caregiver burden

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Key message: Sedation impacts on patient functioning and caregiver burden, and can lead to dissatisfaction with medication and discontinuation of treatment.

Background

• Many patients with schizophrenia experience disturbances in their sleep–wake cycle, which may be a result of the disease itself, of pharmacotherapy, or of a comorbid sleep disorder.^{[Kane et al., 2008]}
• These sleep disturbances can seriously impair patient functioning, as well as quality of life.^{[Kane et al., 2008]}
• Most patients develop a tolerance to the sedating effects of medications after the acute phase of treatment; however, a substantial minority will continue to experience persistent sedation or somnolence, impacting on their quality of life.^{[Kane et al., 2008]}
• Although patients may not be able to accurately describe their symptom as persistent sedation, they may complain that they have no energy, they constantly feel tired, or that they cannot think clearly.
• Patients’ families may also indicate that patients do not want to get out of bed or participate in any activities, which may increase the burden on the caregiver.^{[Kane et al., 2008]}

Reference:
Kane JM, Sharif ZA. Atypical antipsychotics: sedation versus efficacy. J Clin Psychiatry 2008; 69 (Suppl. 1): 18–31.

Other reference used on slide:
Hofstetter JR, Lysaker PH, Mayeda AR. Quality of sleep in patients with schizophrenia is associated with quality of life and coping. BMC Psychiatry 2005; 5: 13.