Open AccessComparative Effects of Morning vs Evening Dosing of Extended‐Release Hydromorphone on Sleep Physiology in Patients with Low Back Pain: A Pilot Study
Author(s) -
Webster Lynn R.,
Smith Michael D.,
Mackin Sam,
Iverson Matthew
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
pain medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.893
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1526-4637
pISSN - 1526-2375
DOI - 10.1111/pme.12577
Subject(s) - hydromorphone , medicine , dosing , anesthesia , polysomnography , opioid , evening , sleep apnea , pittsburgh sleep quality index , morning , chronic pain , apnea–hypopnea index , obstructive sleep apnea , apnea , physical therapy , insomnia , pharmacology , sleep quality , physics , receptor , astronomy
Objective To investigate effects of extended‐release ( ER ) hydromorphone dosing time (morning, QAM ; evening, QPM ) on sleep physiology in patients with chronic low back pain. Design Randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, crossover trial. Setting Clinical research site. Patients Fifteen patients with moderate‐to‐severe chronic low back pain requiring long‐term opioid analgesia. Interventions Following an open‐label immediate‐release ( IR ) hydromorphone titration phase, patients received once‐daily ER hydromorphone QAM or QPM for at least 14 days and then crossed over to the alternate regimen. Overnight polysomnographic sleep studies were performed at baseline, following IR hydromorphone titration, and following each ER hydromorphone dosing period. Outcome Measures The primary outcome measure was prevalence of nocturnal apnea–hypopnea index ( AHI ). Other evaluations included central apnea index and obstructive apnea index; Short‐Form M c G ill Pain Questionnaire; a modified Medical Outcomes Study sleep scale, patient responses in a daily diary, and adverse event safety profiles. Results Mean AHI scores were lower following QAM rather than QPM dosing, but not significantly (12.9 vs 17.1, P > 0.05). Secondarily, QAM dosing resulted in numerically fewer apnea episodes and improvements in pulse oximetry measures; however, these differences were not significant ( P > 0.05). Sleep quality/quantity and pain measures were improved with opioid therapy overall, particularly QPM dosing, without significantly compromising safety. Conclusions ER hydromorphone QAM dosing may be preferred if sleep‐disordered breathing associated with ongoing opioid therapy is of concern; however, QPM dosing may be advantageous in terms of pain relief and quality/quantity of sleep. Further research is recommended to provide more definitive clinical guidance.