The Effect of Galantamine on Sleep Quality in Thai Alzheimer’s Disease Patients
Siwaporn Chankrachang MD*, Vorapun Senanarong MD**, Niphon Poungvarin MD**, Kammant Phanthumchinda MD***, Nantika Tavichachart MD****, Rungnirand Praditsuwan MD*****, Samart Nidhinandana MD******
Affiliation : * Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai ** Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok *** Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok **** Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok ***** Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok ****** Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Pramongkutklao Hospital and College of Medicine, Bangkok
Objective : To study the effect of Galantamine on sleep quality in Thai Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients with
or without cerebrovascular disease.
Material and Method: A 6 month,multicenter, open-label, uncontrolled trial was undertaken in 75 mild to
moderate Alzheimer’s disease patients with or without cerebrovascular disease. Eligible patients received a
flexible-dose of Galantamine 16 or 24 mg/day for 24 weeks. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI ) with
self-analysis questionnaires were used to evaluate sleep quality. Analyses were based on the intent-to-treat
population.
Results : Seventy-five eligible patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease with or without cerebrovascular
disease (male:female = 32:43, age range 74.5 + 0.9) were included and 58 patients (79%) completed the
present study. The global PSQI scores showed some improvement over baseline (week 0 = 5.10 + 3.08, week 4
= 4.37 + 2.48, week 8 = 4.65 + 2.71 week 24 = 3.70 + 2.12) but were not yet statistical significant. In contrast,
most of each component scores such as sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, sleep disturbances, sleep
medication, and daytime dysfunction except sleep efficiency, showed significant differences from baseline after
week 8. Moreover, there were no significant differences in global PSQI and component scores between mild
and moderate stages of Thai AD patients or between men and women patients.
Conclusion : The result of the present study may be consistent with Galantamine being safe and can maintain
good sleep quality for mild to moderate Thai AD patients with or without VaD. Galantamine doses of 16-24
mg/day were well tolerated.
Keywords : Galantamine, Sleep, Side effect
