Prolongation of REM Sleep Latency in Nightmare Disorder May Indicate Subtle REM Sleep Fragmentation and Decreased REM Sleep Propensity

摘要

Creamer and colleagues have addressed the very important topic of the high prevalence of clinically significant nightmares (31.2% of 473 military personnel met criteria for nightmare disorder [NDO] and endorsed trouble falling asleep because of bad dreams on at least a weekly basis) among military personnel, with possibly only a minority receiving medical attention, as only 3.9% endorsed nightmares as their reason for visit. In their commentary on this research, Collen and colleagues have further emphasized that nightmares tend not to receive adequate clinical attention, with decreased reporting by patients being an important barrier to treatment. Both have stressed the importance of addressing nightmares, as they are associated with greater psychiatric comorbidity including a higher suicide risk.