Sleep Disorders Documented by Night Polysomnography in Patients with Chronic Insomnia Disorder

BACKGROUND: To investigate the sleep disorders related to chronic insomnia and compare the characteristics of each group. METHODS: We registered 191 patients (female 56.0%, age 61.7 years) who have complained about symptoms of insomnia for more than three months and assessed sleep disorders related chronic insomnia by analyzing their polysomnography (PSG) parameters, demographics, and questionnaires (Insomnia Severity Index, Beck Depression Inventory, Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment Instrument abbreviated version). RESULTS: Patients were categorized into groups of primary insomnia (PI, 51.8%, n=99), comorbid insomnia with obstructive sleep apnea (CIO, 38.7%, n=74), and comorbid insomnia with periodic limb movement disorder (CIP, 9.4%, n=18). CIO was older and more obese than PI and CIP. The proportion of males was the highest in CIO. Arousal index of PSG was higher in CIO and CIP than in PI. Other parameters and the results of questionnaires were not different among groups. CONCLUSIONS: About a half of patients with chronic insomnia symptoms (48.2%) had considerable sleep disorders associated with insomnia. Our study suggests that the PSG as well as history taking and demographics are necessary to clarify the relevant conditions of chronic insomnia disorder for appropriate treatment.

Características polisomnográficas nocturnas y otras variables relacionadas, en pacientes adultos mayores / Nocturnal polysomnbnographic characteristics and other related variables in elderly patients

Se cree que los ancianos necesitan dormir menos. Sin embargo, no es la necesidad de sueño sino la capacidad de dormir lo que disminuye con la edad, en paralelo a la mayor prevalencia de enfermedades cardiovasculares o metabólicas, o de depresión. Poco se ha descripto sobre los hallazgos polisomnográficos de esta población. En el presente estudio analizamos los hallazgos polisomnográficos en pacientes mayores de 65 años. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo a partir del análisis de una base de datos de 551 pacientes mayores de 65 años evaluados entre junio de 2013 y diciembre de 2014. Todos los sujetos se realizaron una polisomnografía (PSG) nocturna de 6 horas de duración. Las variables analizadas fueron: latencia de sueño (LS), eficacia de sueño (ES), latencia de fase REM (Lat R), % de R, índice de apneas hipopneas (IHA) y movimientos periódicos de piernas durante el sueño (PLMS). Se dividió la población en 3 grupos: G1: de 65 a 70 años; G2: 71 a 75; G3: mayor de 75 años. Se analizaron los datos de la serie general y las diferencias intergrupos. El IHA se incrementó con la edad y resultó más severo en los pacientes mayores de 75 años en relación con el grupo de menor edad. El incremento del IAH no se asoció a un incremento del índice de masa corporal ni a mayor somnolencia diurna. (AU)

It is believed that the elderly need less sleep. However, it is not the need for sleep but the ability to sleep that decreases with age, in parallel to the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular or metabolic disease, or depression. Little has been described about the polysomnographic findings of this population, hypothesizing that there are several alterations that prematurely corrected could improve the quality of life as the years go by. We analyzed the polysomnographic findings in patients over 65 years of age. A descriptive study was carried out based on the analyses of a database of 551 patients over 65 years of age evaluated between June 2013 to December 2014. All subjects underwent nocturnal PSG of 6 hours duration. The polysomnographic variables analyzed were: sleep latency (LS), sleep efficiency (ES), latency R phase (Lat R), % R, Apneas Hypoapneas Index (AHI) and Periodic Limb Movements of Sleep (PLMS). The population was divided into 3 groups: G1: from 65 to 70 years G2: 71 to 75, G3 greater than 75. AHI increased with age, being more severe in patients over 75 years of age in relation to the younger age group. The increase in AHI was not associated with an increase in Body Mass Index (BMI) or greater daytime sleepiness. (AU)

The Changes in Polysomnographic Sleep Variables by Periodic Limb Movements During Sleep / 수면정신생리

OBJECTIVES: Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) has been debated with regard to its clinical significance and diagnostic criteria. The current diagnostic criterion for PLMD in adults has been changed from periodic limb movement index (PLMI) > 5/ hour to PLMI > 15/hour by the International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD). In this study, we aimed to investigate the changes in polysomnographic sleep variables according to PLMI and to determine the relevance of the diagnostic criterion for PLMD. METHODS: Out of 4195 subjects who underwent standard polysomnography, we selected 666 subjects (370 males and 296 females, aged 47.1 ± 14.8) who were older than 17 years and were not diagnosed with primary insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, or REM sleep behavior disorder. Subjects were divided into three groups according to PLMI severity: group 1 (PLMI ≤ 5), group 2 (5 15). Demographic and polysomnographic sleep variables and Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) were compared among the three groups. RESULTS: There were significant differences among the three groups in age and gender. Sleep efficiency (SE) and stage 3 sleep percentage in group 1 were significantly higher than those in groups 2 and 3. The wake after sleep onset (WASO) score in group 1 was significantly lower than those in groups 2 and 3. However, there were no significant differences in SE, stage 3 sleep percentage, or WASO between groups 2 and 3. Sleep latency (SL) in group 1 was significantly lower than that in group 3, but there was no difference in SL between group 2 and group 3. ESS score in group 1 was significantly higher than that in group 3, but there was no difference between group 2 and group 3. Partial correlation analysis adjusted by age showed that PLMI was significantly related to SE and WASO. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that PLMI influences polysomnographic sleep variables. In addition, we found the individuals who did not have PLMD but had PLMI > 5 were not different in polysomnographic sleep variables from the individuals who had PLMD according to the current criterion. These results raise questions about the relevance of the current diagnostic criterion of PLMD.

Periodic Limb Movements During Sleep Associated with Human T-Lymphotropic Virus Type I-Associated Myelopathy

Periodic limb movements during sleep (PLMS) are frequently observed in the general population, although such movements may be associated with a variety of medical and neurological disorders. Human T-lymphotropic virus type I-associated myelopathy (HAM) is a rare progressive disease in which abnormalities are rarely observed on spinal images. We present the case of a 55-year-old woman with PLMS who was later diag-nosed with HAM. The current case indicates that HAM can be considered a possible cause of PLMS.

Review of sleep studies of patients with chronic insomnia at a sleep disorder unit

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Chronic insomnia is associated with many physical and psychiatric illnesses, and its underlying aetiology needs to be identified in order to achieve safe and effective treatment. Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) are common primary sleep disorders that can lead to chronic insomnia. Patients with these conditions are evaluated using polysomnography (PSG).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The PSG records of 106 patients with chronic insomnia who presented to a multidisciplinary sleep clinic in Singapore over a five-year period were reviewed. To examine the utility of PSG in the evaluation of chronic insomnia, the clinical diagnoses of the patients before and after the sleep studies were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among the 106 patients, 69 (65.4%) were suspected to have primary sleep disorders based on clinical history and examination alone. Following PSG evaluation, 42.5% and 4.7% of the study population were diagnosed with OSA and PLMD, respectively. OSA was found in 35.9% of the 39 patients who had underlying psychiatric conditions.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This study illustrates that many patients with chronic insomnia have underlying primary sleep disorders. It also highlights the danger of attributing chronic insomnia in psychiatric patients to their illness, without giving due consideration to other possible aetiologies. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for the presence of other aetiologies, and make timely and targeted referrals for sleep studies where appropriate.</p>

Polysomnographic Characteristics and Prescription Status of Restless Legs Syndrome Patients in Naturalistic Setting / 수면정신생리

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate the polysomnographic characteristics and prescription status of restless legs syndrome (RLS) patients in naturalistic setting. METHODS: We reviewed medical record of the patients over 18 years olds who (i) satisfied the clinical RLS diagnostic criteria and (ii) had the polysomnography and got treatment related thereto. As a baseline, we evaluated the four diagnostic criteria of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) and the International Restless Legs Scale (IRLS) of the subjects. Then the polysomnography and the suggested immobilization test (SIT) were conducted and, after one month of pharmacotherapy using dopamine agonist, the IRLS was evaluated again. RESULTS: A total of 211 subjects participated in this analysis and 94 (44.5%) of them were male and the other 117 (55.5%) were female and the average age of the 211 subjects was 46.9+/-14.2. Out of such 211 subjects, 136 subjects (64.5%) also had the obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and 53 subjects (25.1%) also had the periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD). 185 subjects (87.7%) out of the 211 subjects had some other sleep disorders except RLS. The results of the polysomnography were as follows : 78.0% of sleep efficiency, 86.8 min of wake after sleep onset, and 3.4% of N3. More specifically, 12.4/h of the average apnea hypopnea index, 14.8/h of the periodic limb movement during sleep (PLMS), 41.2/h of the periodic limb movement during wake during SIT and 21.6/h of total arousal index during sleep. Out of the total subjects, 149 (70.6%) of them took the ropinirole and 47 (22.3%) of them took the pramipexole, and the average dosage of ropinirole was 0.9mg(dosage range 0.125-5 mg) while the average dosage of pramipexole was 0.5 mg (dosage range 0.125-4 mg). The dosage of the ropinirole showed a significant positive correlation with the age (r=0.25, p=0.002) and also with the IRLS (r=0.23, p=0.038). The IRLS at the baseline was 24.9 while the same was decreased down to 13.4 after one month. CONCLUSIONS: Analyzing the result of this study, a majority of clinical RLS subjects demonstrated comorbidity with some other sleep disorder such as the OSA or PLMD. 25.1% of the subjects showed a PLMD, which was less than in previous researches and the average PLMS was not very high as 14.8/h. The dosage of dopamine agonist taken was often a bit more than the amount recommended in Korea. A prospective research using a large scale controlled subjects will be necessary with respect to this topic.

Mortality associated with periodic limb movements during sleep in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients / Mortalidade associada aos movimentos periódicos de membros durante o sono em pacientes com esclerose lateral amiotrófica

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence and severity of periodic limb movements during sleep in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients and to explore this fact as a predictor of severity of the condition with respect to mortality. METHODS: In this case-control study, questionnaire and polysomnographic data were analyzed from 35 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients. Controls were matched by age, genre, and body mass index. A Kaplan-Meier curve was used to compare the survival time of patients with periodic limb movements of sleep index below or above 5. RESULTS: The number of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients with an index greater than five was higher than controls (19 (53%) versus 4 (11%); p<0.0001), and the mean index was higher (23.55±40.07 versus 3.28±8.96; p=0.0009). Earlier mortality was more common in patients with more than five periodic limb movements per hour of sleep than patients with less than five periodic limb movements per hour of sleep (7/19 (37%) versus 1/16 (6%); p=0.04) in this group of patients that had a mean survival of 33 months. CONCLUSIONS: There were more periodic limb movements of sleep in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients than in the control population. The higher number of these movements in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients correlates with disease severity and may suggest poor survival.

OBJETIVO:Descrever a prevalência e a severidade dos movimentos periódicos de membros durante o sono nos pacientes com esclerose lateral amiotrófica e explorar isso como um preditor de severidade da doença e mortalidade. MÉTODOS: Estudo caso controle em que foram analisados 35 pacientes por questionários e polissonografia. Os controles foram pareados por idade, gênero, e índice de massa corporal. Uma curva de Kaplan-Meier foi usada para comparar o tempo de sobrevida em pacientes com índice de movimento periódico de membros durante o sono acima e abaixo de 5. RESULTADOS: O número de pacientes com esclerose lateral amiotrófica com índice de movimentos periódicos de membros durante o sono acima de cinco foi maior do que os controles (19 (53%) versus 4 (11%); p<0,0001) e a média do índice de movimentos periódicos de membros durante o sono também foi maior no grupo dos pacientes (23,55±40,07 versus 3,28±8,96; p=0,0009). A mortalidade precoce foi mais comum em pacientes com mais que cinco movimentos durante o sono por hora do que pacientes com menos do que cinco movimentos durante o sono por hora (7/19 (37%) versus 1/16 (6%); p=0,04). Nesse grupo, os pacientes tiveram sobrevida média de 33 meses. CONCLUSÃO:Houve um maior número de movimentos periódicos de membros durante o sono em pacientes com esclerose lateral amiotrófica do que na população controle. O maior número de movimentos periódicos de membros durante o sono em pacientes com esclerose lateral amiotrófica foi correlacionado com severidade da doença e pode sugerir menor sobrevida.

Spinal cord injury as a trigger to develop periodic leg movements during sleep: an evolutionary perspective / Lesão medular como gatilho para desenvolver movimentos periódicos das pernas durante o sono: uma perspectiva evolutiva

The primary trigger to periodic limb movement (PLM) during sleep is still unknown. Its association with the restless legs syndrome (RLS) is established in humans and was reported in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients classified by the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) as A. Its pathogenesis has not been completely unraveled, though recent advances might enhance our knowledge about those malfunctions. PLM association with central pattern generator (CPG) is one of the possible pathologic mechanisms involved. This article reviewed the advances in PLM and RLS genetics, the evolution of CPG functioning, and the neurotransmitters involved in CPG, PLM and RLS. We have proposed that SCI might be a trigger to develop PLM.

O gatilho principal para o desenvolvimento de movimentos periódicos dos membros (MPM) durante o sono ainda é desconhecido. A associação entre o MPM e a síndrome das pernas inquietas (SPI) em seres humanos já foi previamente estabelecida e relatada em pacientes com lesão medular (LM), classificados pela American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) como A. A patogênese do MPM não foi completamente desvendada, apesar de avanços recentes poderem ampliar o conhecimento sobre essas disfunções. Um dos possíveis mecanismos patológicos envolvidos é o gerador de padrão central (GPC). Este artigo revisou os avanços na genética do MPM e da SPI, a evolução do funcionamento do GPC e os neurotransmissores relacionados ao GPC, ao MPM e à SPI. Foi proposta a hipótese de que a LM poderia ser um gatilho para deflagrar os MPM.

Bilateral Periodic Limb Movement Disorder Developed after Anterior Cerebral Artery Infarction

Previous reports on the lesions causing stroke-related periodic limb movement in sleep (PLMS) have involved subcortical structures such as the basal ganglia/corona radiata or pons. We report a case of an 81-year-old female patient who presented with bilateral, right-side-predominant PLMS that developed after a left cortical infarction. The right-side PLMS may be attributable to the loss of cortical inhibition following a pyramidal tract lesion, while the left-side PLMS may be caused by activation of the contralateral motor cortex due to dysfunction of interhemispheric inhibition.

Sleep disorders frequency in post-polio syndrome patients caused by periodic limb movements / Frequência de transtornos do sono em pacientes com síndrome pós-pólio causados por movimentos periódicos dos membros

Post-polio syndrome (PPS) in individuals with polio longer than 15 years is characterized by weakness and/or muscle fatigue, deficit of deglutition and breath and periodic limb movements (PLM) during sleep. We undertook a review of 99 patients with PPS, and assessed the frequency of PLM through polysomnographic recordings at our sleep disorders unit. The total number of PLM, total time of sleep (TTS), efficiency of sleep (EfS), awaking index (AI) and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) were analyzed. Sixteen patients presented PLM in excess of 5 for the entire night. When comparing these with the group without PLM, a correlation was found (p=0.001). Significant difference was found for the correlation of the parameters: IAH, ID, TTS and EfS when compared the two groups. There is a close relationship between PPS and PLM.

A síndrome pós-pólio (SPP) se manifesta em indivíduos que tiveram poliomielite, após 15 anos ou mais. Caracteriza-se por fraqueza e/ou fadiga muscular, déficit de deglutição e respiração e movimentos periódicos dos membros (PLM) no sono. Identificou-se a freqüência de PLM no sono em 99 polissonografias de pacientes com SPP, atendidos no ambulatório da Universidade Federal de São Paulo/ Escola Paulista de Medicina. Analisou-se número total de PLM, tempo total de sono (TTS), eficiência do sono (EfS), índice de despertar (ID) e índice de apnéia-hipopnéia (IAH). Dezesseis pacientes apresentaram nº de PLM maior que 5 para a noite inteira. Não foi encontrada diferença significativa para a correlação dos parâmetros: índice de apnéia e hipopnéia, índice de despertar, tempo total de sono e eficiência do sono quando comparados os dois grupos. Portanto, considera-se a existência de uma relação entre a presença de PLM e a SPP.

Actigraphy in Sleep Disorders / 대한정신약물학회지

Actigraphy is a method for measuring activity with computerized wristwatch like devices. During the several decades, technological advances have improved the availability of these devices, with miniaturizing their size and increasing memory capacities and detection sensitivity. Compared with polysomnography, the gold standard for evaluation of sleep, actigraphy has unique advantages which are less expensive, noninvasive, less limited in time of recording, and more conductive to repeated measures. Now, actigraphy is used increasingly in clinical practice and research for sleep and other circadian rhythm abnormalities. This paper includes the basic technology and algorithms of actigraphy, reliability and validity issues, and general consideration for applications. Also it reviews the current literatures regarding use of actigraphy in sleep disorders including insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, and periodic limb movement disorder and other psychiatric disorders related to alteration of circadian rhythm.

Sleep Disorders and Restless Legs Syndrome in Alcohol Dependence Patients / 수면정신생리

OBJECTIVES: We review the sleep problems of the alcohol dependence patients. Especially we are interested in the prevalence, the severity of symptoms, anxiety, depression, and sleep quality of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in the alcohol dependence patients. METHODS: We recruit 86 alcohol dependence patients who were admitted from October 6th, 2008 to October 17th, 2008. We interviewed each patient and evaluated sleep questionnaires such as the Sleep Disorder Questionnaire (SDQ), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) rating scale. The presence of RLS and its severity were assessed using the IRLSSG diagnostic criteria and the IRLSSG severity scale, respectively. Depression and anxiety were evaluated by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Beck anxiety inventory (BAI). RESULTS: Of all 86 patients, 59 patients have insomnia, 33 patients have RLS, 30 patients have Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD), 29 patients have nightmare. RLS patients have more high score in the BAI (21.70+/-10.36 vs 14.67+/-11.98), and their sleep quality was poor in the PSQI (11.09+/-4.08 vs 7.92+/-3.91) than non-RLS patients. CONCLUSION: This study shows that alcohol dependence patients show many sleep problems such as insomnia and RLS. So we should notice that the sleep problems of alcohol dependence patients are important in clinical approach and treatment.

Effects of the use of MIG3 bioceramics fabrics use - long infrared emitter - in pain, intolerance to cold and periodic limb movements in post-polio syndrome / Efeitos do uso de tecidos com biocerâmica MIG3 - emissora de infravermelho longo - na dor, intolerância ao frio e movimentos periódicos dos membros na síndrome pós-poliomielite

The main post-polio syndrome (PPS) symptoms are new-onset weakness, new-onset atrophy, fatigue, cold intolerance, and pain associated with sleep disturbances. The polysomnographic study is the gold pattern to analyze sleep disorders. OBJECTIVE: To assess pain, intolerance to cold and periodic limb movements (PLM) index before and after the use of MIG3 bioceramic fabrics over 4 weeks. METHOD: 12 patients with PPS from UNIFESP/EPM. All patients were submitted to polysomnography and infra-red examinations with answered scales of pain and intolerance to cold before and after the use of MIG3 bioceramics fabrics. RESULTS: There were significant decreases in pain and PLM index. CONCLUSION: MIG3 bioceramic fabrics can help in the treatment of pain and PLM in PPS patients.

Dentre as manifestações clínicas da SPP destacam-se nova fraqueza, fadiga, dor, intolerância ao frio, nova atrofia e transtornos do sono. A polissonografia de noite inteira permanece sendo padrão ouro para análise do sono e diagnóstico de transtornos do sono. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o comportamento da dor, intolerância ao frio (IF) e índice de movimentos periódicos de membros (PLMs) após uso de colchonete e roupas com biocerâmica MIG3 por 4 semanas. MÉTODO: 12 pacientes com SPP, da UNIFESP/EPM. Todos realizaram exames de polissonografia e infravermelho e responderam a questionários de dor e IF antes e após o uso dos materiais. RESULTADOS: Houve diminuição significativa da dor e dos PLMs. CONCLUSÃO: Os tecidos com biocerâmica MIG3 podem ser um coadjuvante ao tratamento da dor e dos PLMs nos pacientes com SPP.

Frecuencia de presentación del síndrome de piernas inquietas y su asociación con apnea obstructiva del sueño / Restless legs syndrome, frequency and its association with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Antecedentes. La prevalencia del síndrome de piernas inquietas oscila entre el 2,5 y el 29%. Objetivos. Determinar la frecuencia de presentación del SPI en un grupo de pacientes adultos a quienes se les realizó un estudio polisomnográfico (PSG) por condiciones diferentes al SPI, en la Clínica de Sueño del Hospital Universitario Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, en el período entre el 1º de enero y el 31 de diciembre del 2006, y determinar su correlación con la severidad del SAOS. Material y métodos. Se hizo un estudio de prevalencia analítica. Los pacientes llenaron un cuestionario en el que se incluyen preguntas relacionadas con los criterios diagnósticos del SPI y su frecuencia de presentación. Los pacientes fueron agrupados por género, edad e índice de masa corporal. Se evaluó la latencia para el inicio del sueño y se agruparon según la severidad del SAOS. Resultados. Se obtuvo una muestra de 301 pacientes, 72% hombres, de los cuales 43 cumplieron con los criterios diagnósticos para SPI. Se encontró una prevalencia global del 14,3%, para las mujeres fue del 18,3% y para los hombres del 12,8%. Se identificó una mayor prevalencia en el grupo de pacientes entre los 50-59 años, tanto en el total de la población como en el grupo de pacientes hombres (18,4% y 16,4% respectivamente), en las mujeres la prevalencia fue mayor en el grupo mayor de 70 años (28,6%). La prevalencia fue mayor en el grupo de pacientes obesos en ambos géneros (p = 0,003). La latencia para el inicio del sueño fue más prolongada en los pacientes con SPI (p = 0,003). En relación con el grado de severidad del SAOS, se encontró una mayor frecuencia del SPI en mujeres con SAOS leve y moderado, en los hombres no se halló relación significativa entre las entidades. Conclusiones. La prevalencia en nuestra población de estudio fue similar a la reportada en otros países latinoamericanos...

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is a prevalent complaint among patients in psychiatric and medical care. Patients with EDS have often been misdiagnosed with depression due to their complaints of lack of energy and poor concentration. Also, they have even been diagnosed erroneously with a psychotic disorder in case of coexistence with hypnagogic hallucination. EDS can seriously affect the person's quality of life by causing decreased academic achievement or work performance, low self esteem, and social withdrawal. EDS is also frequently associated with various medical and psychiatric conditions, and often fatal traffic or on-the-job accidents. The causes of EDS range from insufficient sleep to central nervous system-originated hypersomnia. The conditions that can lead to EDS include circadian rhythm disorders, primary disorders of alertness such as narcolepsy, sleep-related breathing disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, sleep-related movement disorders such as periodic limb movement disorder and restless legs syndrome, chronic medical conditions such as cancer, and medications causing sleepiness. Treatment options should be tailored according to the underlying condition and include sufficient sleep time, light therapy, sleep scheduling, wakefulness-promoting medications, or mechanical airway managements such as nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).

Clinical Characteristics of Sleep Disorders in Parkinson's Disease

BACKGROUND: Sleep disturbances are very common in the patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and several sleep disorders are known to have pathological associations with PD, such as REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), restless legs syndrome (RLS) and periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD). The authors conducted this study to find clinical characteristics and impact of sleep disorders in the patients with PD. METHODS: A total of 97 patients with PD (41 males, age 61.0+/-9.3 years, Hoehn and Yahr stage 1-4) were recruited. We interviewed bed partners of parkinsonian patients for sleep disorders with structured questionnaires and compared interview results with the clinical characteristics of Parkinson's disease and the results of cognitive function tests. RESULTS: RLS (24.7%), RBD (19.6%), sleep apnea (15.5%) and PLMD (13.4%) were frequently reported by bed partners of the patients. PLMD, RBD and apnea were significantly increased in male patients. Parkinsonian characteristics of the patients (dose of L-dopa, predominant motor symptom, duration of symptom and treatment, use of dopamine agonist, Hoehn and Yahr stage, and severity of motor symptoms) were not related with sleep disorders and daytime sleepiness, but the bed partners reported decreased arousal and increased daytime sleepiness in the patients with sleep disorders. The cognitive profiles of the patients showed impaired memory function in the sleepy patients. CONCLUSIONS: We could not find the correlations between sleep disorders and the clinical characteristics of PD. But, sleep disorders were prevalent in PD patients and caused daytime sleepiness and cognitive dysfunctions.

Role of Actigraphy in the Estimation of Sleep Quality in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome / 수면정신생리

BACKGROUND: Actigraphy is a reliable and valid method for assessing sleep in normal, healthy populations, but it may be less reliable and valid for detecting disturbed sleep in patients. In this study, we attempted to assess the utility of actigraphy in the estimation of sleep quality in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), a major sleep disorder. METHOD: We analyzed the data of patients who underwent polysomnography (PSG) and actigraphy simultaneously for one night at the Center for Sleep and Chronobiology, Seoul National University Hospital from November 2004 to March 2006. Eighty-nine subjects with OSAS alone and 21 subjects with OSAS and periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) were included for final data analyses between groups. Polysomnographic and actigraphic data were also compared. RESULTS: In subjects with mild OSAS (RDI<15), modretae (15< or = RDI<30), and OSAS with PLMD, PSG and actigraphy did not show significant difference in total sleep time and sleep efficiency. However in severe (30< or =RDI) OSAS subjects, PSG and actigraphy showed significant difference in total sleep time and sleep efficiency. In all patients, no correlations were found between sleep parameters from PSG and from those using actigraphy. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that in severe OSAS patients, PSG is the diagnostic tool. In mild and moderate cases, actigraphy might be used as a screening tool.

Role of Actigraphy in the Estimation of Sleep Quality in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome / 수면정신생리

BACKGROUND: Actigraphy is a reliable and valid method for assessing sleep in normal, healthy populations, but it may be less reliable and valid for detecting disturbed sleep in patients. In this study, we attempted to assess the utility of actigraphy in the estimation of sleep quality in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), a major sleep disorder. METHOD: We analyzed the data of patients who underwent polysomnography (PSG) and actigraphy simultaneously for one night at the Center for Sleep and Chronobiology, Seoul National University Hospital from November 2004 to March 2006. Eighty-nine subjects with OSAS alone and 21 subjects with OSAS and periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) were included for final data analyses between groups. Polysomnographic and actigraphic data were also compared. RESULTS: In subjects with mild OSAS (RDI<15), modretae (15< or = RDI<30), and OSAS with PLMD, PSG and actigraphy did not show significant difference in total sleep time and sleep efficiency. However in severe (30< or =RDI) OSAS subjects, PSG and actigraphy showed significant difference in total sleep time and sleep efficiency. In all patients, no correlations were found between sleep parameters from PSG and from those using actigraphy. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that in severe OSAS patients, PSG is the diagnostic tool. In mild and moderate cases, actigraphy might be used as a screening tool.

Sleep Physiology and Common Sleep Disorders in the Elderly / 수면정신생리

Sleep changes substantially with age. There is a phase advance in the circadian sleep cycle and increased waking after sleep onset. The elderly people wake more frequently during the night and experience fragmented sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness. The prevalence of sleep disorders increases with age, and the composition of sleep disorders in the elderly differs from that in the young. The most frequently encountered sleep disorders are psychophysiologic insomnia, sleep disturbance due to dementia, sleep-related respiratory disorder, restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder, and REM sleep behavior disorder. To treat the elderly sleep problem appropriately, it is important to know how sleep pattern changes as we age and to understand the cause of sleep-related symptoms. This article will review the sleep physiology and common sleep disorders in the elderly.

Botulinum-A toxin in the treatment of painful post-stroke nocturnal paroxysmal dystonia triggered by periodic limb movements of sleep: case report / Toxina botulínica tipo A no tratamento da distonia paroxística noturna dolorosa pós-isquemia cerebral desencadeada por movimentos periódicos do sono: relato de caso

INTRODUCTION: Sleep disorders presenting involuntary movements may be very annoying to patients, apart from their negative influence on sleep. OBJECTIVE: To report the use of botulinum type-A toxin (BoNT-A) to manage the case of a patient whose sleep was severely disrupted by episodes of dystonic posturing of the right lower limb triggered by periodic limb movements of sleep (PLMS). METHOD: A 79-year-old woman with mild post-stroke right hemiparesis presented with recurrent painful episodes of dystonia of the right lower limb, which disrupted her sleep. The dystonic episodes could also be voluntarily triggered by extension of the right hallux. Polysomnography confirmed that the dystonic episodes were triggered by PLMS. Twenty units of BoNT-A (20U/500U vial) were injected into her right extensor hallucis longus. RESULTS: Shortly after BoNT-A was injected, the dystonic symptoms abated, and the patient achieved better sleep efficiency. CONCLUSION: The PLMS-related involuntary extension of the hallux was probably triggering the nocturnal post-stroke lower limb dystonic paroxysms. BoNT-A injection into the right extensor hallucis longus was effective in managing this condition and thus resolved the associated disruption of sleep.

INTRODUÇÃO: Desordens do sono apresentando movimentos involuntários podem ser bastante perturbadoras aos pacientes, além de sua influência negativa no sono. OBJETIVO: Descrever o uso da toxina botulínica tipo-A (BoNT-A) no manejo do caso de um paciente cujo sono estava gravemente fragmentado por episódios de distonia do membro inferior direito, desencadeados por movimentos periódicos do sono (MPS). MÉTODO: Uma paciente com 79 anos portadora de hemiparesia direita leve seqüelar a isquemia cerebral (AVCI) procurou-nos por episódios dolorosos recorrentes de distonia noturna de seu membro inferior direito, os quais fragmentavam seu sono. Os episódios de distonia também podiam ser desencadeados voluntariamente, por extensão do hálux direito. Uma polisonografia confirmou que os episódios distônicos eram desencadeados pelos MPS. Vinte unidades de BoNT-A (20 U/frasco de 500 U) foram injetadas no seu extensor longo do hálux. RESULTADOS: Alguns dias após a injeção de BoNT-A os sintomas distônicos regrediram, e o sono da paciente tornou-se eficiente. CONCLUSÃO: As extensões involuntárias do hálux relacionadas aos movimentos periódicos do sono estavam provavelmente desencadeando os paroxismos distônicos noturnos pós-AVCI. A injeção de BoNT-A no extensor longo do hálux foi eficaz no manejo desta condição, resolvedo assim a fragmentação do sono.