[Sleep in elderly]

Sleep disorders in the elderly are common. However, they are often under diagnosed and poorly supported.

To study the characteristics of sleep in the elderly consultant at the front line.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted on a random sample of fifty persons aged 65 years and over, consultant in the center of basic health of Ezzahra and in a private practice in the same delegation.

The sleep efficiency index was 0.85. Nighttime awakenings were present in 44 persons (88%). Unexplained late night awakening was reported by 19 subjects (38%). Among the respondents, 40 (80%) were considered to have at least one sleep disorder. The subjective complaint of insomnia was present in 70% of subjects. Excessive daytime sleepiness and/or hypersomnia were present in 70% of subjects. Nocturnal snoring was reported by 22 persons (44%). Nine subjects (18%) had respiratory pauses during sleep. Despite the high incidence of sleep disorder among the respondents, only 6 persons (15%) among them consulted their General Practitioner for this reason. Among patients with sleep disorder, 14 persons (40%) were taking hypnotics, from which 6 (43%) by self-medication.

Sleep disorders in the elderly as well as self-medication with hypnotics are common and under diagnosed. They should be sought systematically in front-line consultation.