Chapter 7 - Symptomatic Management of Circadian Rhythm Disorders

Paul P. Doghramji, MD
Credit Type
CME
Credit Amount
0.5
Release Date
10/28/2011
Expiration Date
10/27/2012
Activity Type
Videocast


Jointly sponsored by Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, Montefiore Medical Center, and Asante Communications, LLC.

  

This activity is supported by an independent educational grant from Cephalon, Inc.
 

Activity Description

The goal of this activity is to improve the assessment, recognition, treatment, and ongoing management of patients with circadian rhythm disorders (CRDs), including shift work disorder (SWD).

Learning Objectives

 At the conclusion of this educational activity, participants should be better prepared to:

  1.  Assess the consequences of circadian dyssynchrony on sleep/wake timing, physiologic parameters, and patient behavior
  2. Identify and differentially diagnose SWD and other CRDs based on symptomatology, patient history, and findings obtained from a thorough sleep history, sleep diaries/logs, and other tools
  3. Formulate initial and ongoing treatment plans for CRDs that incorporate evidence-based nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic modalities
  4. Improve ongoing management of patients with CRDs by monitoring treatment responsiveness (eg, sleepiness, affect, cognition) and establishing appropriate referral pathways to ensure continuity of care  

Statement of Need & Learner's Gap

CRDs are prevalent, underrecognized, and inadequately treated. Patients with CRDs have a varied symptomatology, the complexity of which provides a challenge for many PCPs.1-5 The major feature of CRDs—such as SWD, jet lag disorder, and advanced and delayed sleep phase disorders—is a misalignment between the patient’s actual and desired sleep/wake pattern, often causing insomnia or excessive sleepiness (ES).5-7 These two cardinal symptoms, as well as the misalignment itself, can adversely affect patients across medical and psychosocial domains. For example, circadian misalignment often contributes to many gastrointestinal, cardiometabolic, and mood/affective disorders commonly encountered in primary care.2,8 Cognitive and behavioral processes, such as memory and alertness, are also impaired.9 A study of patients with SWD indicated higher rates of ulcers, absenteeism, depression, and missed family obligations and social activities.2 Similar studies among healthcare shift workers highlight greater prevalence of motor vehicle accidents and medical errors, demonstrating potential public safety issues.10,11 PCPs must recognize, assess, and manage CRDs in their patients to alleviate unfavorable effects on overall health, well-being, and function. Guided by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine’s Practice Parameters for the Clinical Evaluation and Treatment of Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders and expert guidance on the management of patients with CRDs, PCPs can help reduce the serious and often long-term consequences of circadian misalignment.5,12

References

1. National Sleep Foundation. 2005 Sleep in America Poll: Summary of Findings. Washington, DC: National Sleep Foundation; 2005.
2. Drake CL, et al. Sleep. 2004;27(8):1453-1462.
3. Ontiveros CS, et al. Sleep. 2011;34(abstract supplement):A336.
4. Sack RL, et al. Sleep. 2007;30(11):1460-1483.
5. Roth T, et al. Curr Med Res Opin. 2010;26(suppl 2):S3-S24; quiz S25-S27.
6. Arendt J. Occup Med (Lond). 2010;60(1):10-20.
7. American Academy of Sleep Medicine. The International Classification of Sleep Disorders. 2nd ed. Westchester, IL: American Academy of Sleep Medicine; 2005.
8. Scheer FA, et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2009;106(11):4453-4458.
9. Gumenyuk V, et al. Sleep. 2010;33(5):703-713.
10. Chen I, et al. Behav Sleep Med. 2008;6(1):1-15.
11. DeArmond S, Chen PY. Accid Anal Prev. 2009;41(5):976-984.
12. Morgenthaler TI, et al. Sleep. 2007;30(11):1445-1459.

CME Reviewer

Michael J. Thorpy, MD
Director, Sleep-Wake Disorders Center
Montefiore Medical Center
Professor of Neurology
Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University
Bronx, New York

Intended Audience

This activity is intended for primary care physicians and other healthcare professionals who treat patients with CRDs.

Accreditation Statement

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, and Asante Communications. Albert Einstein College of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation

Albert Einstein College of Medicine designates each HowToTorial™ module for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Method of Participation

There are no fees for participating in this CME activity. To receive credit during the period of October 28, 2011 to October 27, 2012, participants must (1) read the learning objectives and disclosure statements, (2) complete the Pre-activity Questionnaire, (3) participate in the educational activity, (4) complete the Posttest (Post-activity Questionnaire), (5) click on “Get Credit” to complete the Evaluation and request credit.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The Conflict of Interest Disclosure Policy of Albert Einstein College of Medicine requires that faculty participating in any CME activity disclose to the audience any relationship(s) with a pharmaceutical, product, or device company. Presenters whose disclosed relationships prove to create a conflict of interest with regard to their contribution to the activity will not be permitted to present.

Albert Einstein College of Medicine also requires that faculty participating in any CME activity and anyone in a position to influence content disclose to the audience when discussing any unlabeled or investigational use of any commercial product or device not yet approved for use in the United States.

Faculty & Planning Committee Disclosures

Paul P. Doghramji, MD
AstraZeneca (Consultant, Speakers Bureau); Cephalon, Inc. (Speakers Bureau); MAP Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Consultant); PGxHealth (Consultant); Purdue Pharma L.P. (Consultant); URL Pharma, Inc. (Consultant, Speakers Bureau)

Thomas Roth, PhD
Abbott Laboratories (Consultant); Cephalon, Inc. (Consultant, Speakers Bureau); Eisai Co., Ltd. (Consultant); Eli Lilly and Company (Consultant); Intec Pharma ltd. (Consultant); Merck & Co., Inc. (Consultant); Ocera Therapeutics, Inc. (Consultant); Pfizer Inc. (Consultant); sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC (Consultant); Sepracor Inc. (Consultant); Shire (Consultant); Somaxon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Consultant); Somnus Therapeutics Inc (Consultant); Steady Sleep Rx (Consultant); Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (Consultant); Transcept Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Consultant)

Michael J. Thorpy, MD
Cephalon, Inc. (Speakers Bureau); Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Speakers Bureau)

 

The staff of the Center for Continuing Medical Education (CCME) of Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, and the staff of Asante Communications, LLC, have no disclosures associated with any commercial interests to report other than the following:

Chris Ontiveros, PhD, of Asante Communications, has no conflict of interest with commercial interests related directly or indirectly to this educational activity. 

 

Steven Jay Feld of Albert Einstein College of Medicine, or a member of his household, owns securities in Bioheart, Inc.; Chelsea Therapeutics, Inc.; and Pharmacopeia, Inc.

Disclaimer

The opinions, ideas, recommendations, and perspectives expressed in this program and accompanying materials are those of the presenting faculty only and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, ideas, recommendations, or perspectives of their affiliated institutions, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Asante Communications, or the activity’s commercial supporters.

Copyright

Copyright © 2011 Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, and Asante Communications. All rights reserved. No part of this syllabus may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embedded in articles or reviews.

 

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