Age‐related Sleep—Wake Disorders at a Sleep Disorder Center

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Abstract
The specific sleep disorders of 97 patients 61-81 yr old were compared with those of 264 middle-aged (41-60 yr old) and 202 young (20-40 yr old) patients. Sleep disorder diagnoses were made according to the Diagnostic Classification of the Association of Sleep Disorders Centers based on evaluations consisting of mental and physical examinations and all-night sleep recordings. Most young and middle-aged patients complained of excessive daytime sleepiness; the elderly complained of insomnia as often as excessive daytime sleepiness. Evaluations revealed objective findings in 93% of the elderly but only 77% of younger patients. Nocturnal myoclonus or restless leg syndrome was the diagnosed cause of 23% of elderly patients'' sleep-wake problems, but only 11% of middle-aged and 4% of young patients had this problem. Respiratory disorders of sleep were found in 27% of elderly, 35% of middle-aged and 20% of young patients. Elderly patients (6%) had psychiatric disorders diagnosed as the causes for their problems less frequently than did younger patients (22%).

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