Valerian and postoperative sleep: a retrospective cohort analysis of gynecological, urologic, and general surgical patients

• Published in: Sleep (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 45; no. 10; p. 1
• Main Authors: Winter, Anne-Sophie, Haverkamp, Christian, Gratzke, Christian, Huber, Roman, Lederer, Ann-Kathrin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: US Oxford University Press 01-10-2022
• Subjects: Analysis; Cohort analysis; Complications and side effects; Gynecology; Hospital patients; Medical centers; Medicine, Botanic; Medicine, Herbal; Sleep; Sleep disorders; Germany; sleep disorder; complementary therapies; phytotherapy; drug effects; hospital; therapeutic use; valerian; surgery; Valerian
• ISSN: 0161-8105; 1550-9109
• DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsac122

Abstract
Study Objectives
Postoperative sleep disturbances appear to be a common complication after surgery being treated with sleep-promoting medication such as valerian, but robust data and evidence of medicinal approaches are lacking.
Methods
We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of all 21 168 urological, gynecological, and general surgical patients of the University Medical Center Freiburg, Germany, who underwent surgery between 2015 and 2020. Target parameters were the usage of sleep-promoting medication to estimate the occurrence of postoperative sleep disturbances as well as the kind of sleep medication with a special focus on herbal medication such as valerian.
Results
Drug-treated sleep disturbances occurred in 15% (n = 3083) of the patients. Valerian was the second most applied drug (n = 814, 26.4%) after classic benzodiazepines (n = 1 138, 36.9%). The majority of patients got valerian as monotherapy. Age, length of stay, and comorbidities were associated with demand for sleep medication in general (p < .001). Valerian monotherapy was more common in women (OR 1.53, 95% CI: 1.33–1.77, p < .001), elderly patients (OR 1.50, 95% CI: 1.29–1.75, p < .001), and patients with prolonged hospital stay (OR 2.23, 95% CI: 1.91–2.61, p < .001).
Conclusions
Valerian plays an important role in the treatment of postoperative sleep disturbances clinically, and it appears to be a promising therapeutic approach especially in women, older and sicker patients, and those with prolonged hospital stay. Further research has to clarify the efficacy of valerian postoperatively.
Clinical trial registration
DRKS00027903, https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00027903