Abstract

TAVORA, Catarina et al. Management of Insomnia in Hospitalized Elderly Patients. Medicina Interna [online]. 2022, vol.29, n.3, pp.35-40.  Epub Nov 15, 2022. ISSN 0872-671X.  https://doi.org/10.24950/rspmi.458.

There are several factors that can contribute to poor sleep quality in hospitalized elderly patients. Clinicians have a variety of non-pharmacological and pharmacological in-terventions available. This article aims to review the different therapeutic options.

In the treatment of insomnia in hospitalized elderly patients, priority should be given to non-pharmacological mea-sures that will improve sleep quality and improve well-being and health recovery. Some measures can be applied during the day, such as minimizing daytime naps, preventing and treating delirium as well as looking for and treat undiagnosed sleeping disorders.

Regarding the pharmacological measures, more than emphasize the less harmful medicines, we intend to reinforce medicines to be avoided due to side effects and impact on patients’ comorbidities, like benzodiazepines with a long half-life and antihistamines. Other drugs to consider in clinical practice are non-benzodiazepine drugs such as zolpidem and antidepressants with sedative effects such as mirtazapine and trazodone.

Keywords : Aged; Hospitalization; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders..

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