Effects of different doses of dexmedetomidine on the prevention of postoperative sleep disturbance and serum neurotransmitter level in patients under general anesthesia

Postoperative sleep disturbance is a common issue that affects recovery in patients undergoing general anesthesia. Dexmedetomidine (Dex) has a potential role in improving postoperative sleep quality. Thus, we evaluated the effects of different doses of Dex on postoperative sleep disturbance and serum neurotransmitters in patients undergoing radical gastrectomy under general anesthesia. Patients were assigned to the control, NS, and Dex (Dex-L/M/H) groups based on different treatment doses [0.2, 0.4, 0.6 μg/(kg·h)]. The Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) and ELISA kits were used to assess sleep disturbance and serum neurotransmitter (GABA, 5-HT, NE) levels before surgery and on postoperative days 1/4/7. The effects of different doses of Dex on postoperative sleep disturbance incidence and serum neurotransmitter levels were analyzed by Fisher exact test, one-way and repeated measures ANOVA. Patients had no differences in gender, age, body mass index, operation time, and bleeding volume. Different doses of Dex reduced the postoperative AIS score of patients under general anesthesia, improved their sleep, and increased serum levels of 5-HT, NE, and GABA. Furthermore, the effects were dose-dependent within the range of safe clinical use doses. Specifically, Dex at doses of 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 μg/(kg·h) reduced postoperative AIS score, elevated serum neurotransmitter levels, and reduced postoperative sleep disturbance incidence. Collectively, Dex has a potential preventive effect on postoperative sleep disturbance in patients undergoing general anesthesia for radical gastrectomy. The optimal dose of Dex is between 0.2 and 0.6 μg/(kg·h), which significantly reduces the incidence of pos