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Sleep-disordered breathing in the healthy elderly. Clinically significant?
B A Phillips1, D T Berry, F A Schmitt
1Department of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington.
Chest
|February 1, 1992
Summary
Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is common in healthy older adults but doesn't appear to impact daytime function. Further research is needed to understand potential long-term effects of SDB in this population.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Sleep Medicine
- Cardiorespiratory Health
Background:
- Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is prevalent in older populations.
- Previous research suggests potential links between SDB and health issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between SDB and daytime functioning in healthy older adults.
- To determine if SDB significantly impacts cognitive and physical performance in this age group.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated sleep/wake, medical, and psychological parameters in healthy men and women aged 50-80.
- Assessed nocturnal breathing disturbances and correlated SDB indices with daytime functioning measures.
- Compared high-SDB (AHI ≥ 5) and low-SDB (AHI < 5) groups.
Main Results:
- Nocturnal breathing disturbances were common, affecting over 15% of subjects.
- Few statistically significant relationships were found between SDB indices and daytime functioning.
- No reliable differences in daytime functioning were observed between high-SDB and low-SDB groups.
Conclusions:
- SDB in otherwise healthy older individuals does not appear to be an immediate cause for concern regarding daytime functioning.
- Longitudinal studies are recommended to explore potential long-term sequelae of SDB in this demographic.