Effect of Sedative-Hypnotic Medicines on Mortality in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients with Sleep Disorders: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Background: Sedative-hypnotic medication is widely used among continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients with sleep disorders; however, its effect on mortality has rarely been investigated. Methods: Logistic regression was employed to identify factors associated with sedative-hypnotic medication, whose effect on mortality was evaluated by Cox proportional hazards models. Results: A total of 146 CAPD patients with sleep disorders were recruited, of which 46 patients (31.5%) used either benzodiazepines or zolpidem. Sedative-hypnotic medication was more frequently used by older patients and those with longer duration of CAPD therapy and there was no significant association between sedative-hypnotic medicines and all-cause mortality after adjusting for age, gender, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and duration of CAPD. Conclusion: Sedative-hypnotic medication was more often used by older patients and patients with a longer duration of CAPD. There was no association between these agents and all-cause mortality in CAPD patients with sleep disorders.