Effects of age and alcoholism on sleep: a controlled study

Sleep problems are common, costly and potentially fatal in older adults. Sleep problems are also commonly associated with alcoholism. Yet few studies have examined the combined effects of alcoholism and aging on sleep. The purpose of this study was to investigate the main and interactive effects on sleep of diagnostic group and age group.

Alcohol dependent patients (n = 139; 118 men) and nonalcoholic controls (n = 87; 57 men) completed full-montage polysomnography, structured psychiatric diagnostic interviews, validated rating scales and alcohol histories at the University of Michigan between 1989 and 1996. The sample was divided for analytic purposes into older (aged 55+ years) and younger (aged <55 years) subgroups.

After controlling for gender, race, body mass index and psychiatric-related sleep symptoms, alcoholics and older adults had significantly decreased total sleep time, and increased Stage 1 sleep percentage, respiratory distress and periodic limb movements. Older adults also had decreased delta sleep percentage and shorter rapid eye movement sleep latencies. Significant interactions were found between alcoholism and age group for Stage 1 sleep percentage, sleep-disordered breathing and periodic limb movements, with older alcoholics having the most disturbances. Older alcoholics had the highest mean values for sleep latency and the lowest mean values for sleep efficiency and delta sleep percentage when compared with the other three groups.

Older alcoholics have increased sleep disturbances when compared with younger alcoholics and with nonalcoholics of both age groups. Care providers should screen for sleep problems among older adults with alcohol problems.