HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Cited by other online articles Google Scholar Articles by Giron, M. S. T. Articles by Fastbom, J. Articles citing this Article PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Giron, M. S. T. Articles by Fastbom, J.

Sleep Problems in a Very Old Population

Drug Use and Clinical Correlates

^a NEUROTEC, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
^b Stockholm Gerontology Research Center, Sweden
^c National Board of Health and Welfare, Stockholm, Sweden
^d Department of Social Work, Stockholm University, Sweden

Maria Stella T. Giron, Stockholm Gerontology Research Center, Box 6401, 15-113 82 Stockholm, Sweden E-mail: Maria.Stella.T.Giron{at}neurotec.ki.se.

Background. Complaints of disturbed or dissatisfied sleep are common among older people. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of sleep problems in very old persons and its relation to physical and mental health and drug use.

Methods. This is a cross-sectional analysis of sleep problems in a population of old persons living in Stockholm, Sweden. There were 641 subjects aged 81+ years; 77.8% were women, 91.4% were noninstitutionalized, and 68.6% lived alone. All persons underwent a comprehensive medical and psychiatric interview and examination. Sleep problems were assessed using the Clinical Psychopathological Rating Scale (CPRS). Covariates included chronic medical conditions, depression, dementia, pain, self-rated health, activities of daily living, use of hypnotics-sedatives, use of other psychotropic drugs, and use of nonpsychotropic drugs.

Results. More than one third of subjects were identified with sleep problems. They were more common among women and persons using a higher number of drugs. Poor self-rated health, depression, and pain were related to the presence of sleep problems. Among persons with sleep problems and depression, only 19.2% used antidepressants, and 46.2% used hypnotics-sedatives. Among persons with sleep problems and pain, 63.2% used analgesics, and 47.0% used hypnotics-sedatives. One or more chronic diseases, use of hypnotics-sedatives, use of other psychotropic drugs, and use of nonpsychotropic drugs were also related to sleep problems. After multivariate analysis, factors significantly related to sleep problems were female gender, depression, pain, and hypnotic-sedative use.

Conclusions. Sleep problems were common in this very old population. These results suggest the importance of carefully assessing an older person's complaints to accurately diagnose and effectively treat sleep problems.

This article has been cited by other articles: (Search Google Scholar for Other Citing Articles)

				A. P. Spira, L. Friedman, A. Flint, and J. I. Sheikh Interaction of Sleep Disturbances and Anxiety in Later Life: Perspectives and Recommendations for Future Research J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol, June 1, 2005; 18(2): 109 - 115. [Abstract] [PDF]