Author/Editor		Dolenc-Grošelj, Leja
Title		Somnološke lastnosti in poligrafske značilnosti pri starejših bolnikih s kronično nespečnostjo
Translated title		Somnological features and polysomnographic characteristics in elderly patients with chronic insomnia
Type		monografija
Place		Ljubljana
Publisher		Medicinska fakulteta
Publication year		2003
Volume		str. 95
Language		slo
Abstract		Background: Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder among the elderly. Sleep disturbances may be partly a result of the aging process per se or the consequence of different medical problems frequent in the elderly. Dyssomnias like the syndrome of obstructive and central apnea, restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder are more frequent among elderly, and can lead to chronic insomnia and to selfmedication. Hypnotic drug abuse represents a serious problem among the elderly. Few subjective studies evaluating insomnia and objective sleep recordings among the elderly were done, and the results are divergent. The objectives of our study were to evaluate somnological features and polysomnographic characteristics in elderly outpatients, presenting with chronic insomnia, for which clinical, laboratory or polysomnographic data failed to reveal a diagnosis. The aims of our study were to determinate somnological features, to analyse polysomnographic charačteristics of sleep, and to make the comparison between the subjective and objective sleep parameters in the elderly population presenting with chronic insomnia. We wished to identify changes in sleep structure, specific for elderly insomniac patients, which have not been described in the International classification of sleep disorders (ICSD). On the study basis directions for dealing with elderly insomnia patients, and instructions for their treatment will be proposed. Patients and Methods: 59 elderly out patients (mean age 73.5 ± 8.2 years) who presented to the sleep outpatient clinic for chronic insomnia, and fulfilled the criteria for primary psychophysiological insomnia regarding the ICSD and DSM-N, were included in the study. Only elderly patients living at home, who were normally physically active and without cognitive decline (Mini Mental test more than 28 points) were included. (Abstract truncated at 2000 characters).
Descriptors		SLEEP DISORDERS POLYSOMNOGRAPHY AGED QUESTIONNAIRES ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE