Probable Parasomnias and Mortality: A Prospective Study in US Men
Xinyuan Zhang1, Samantha A Molsberry2, Milena Pavlova3
1Department of Nutritional Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, MA; Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
Mayo Clinic Proceedings
|October 4, 2023
Summary
Parasomnias, such as rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) and sleep walking (SW), are linked to increased mortality risk. This includes higher risks for all-cause death, neurodegenerative diseases, and accidents.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Sleep Medicine
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Parasomnias, including rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) and sleep walking (SW), are disorders of arousal during sleep.
- The association between these parasomnias and long-term mortality risk remains incompletely understood in large populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between probable parasomnias (pRBD and pSW) and all-cause and cause-specific mortality.
- To assess mortality risks associated with the co-occurrence and individual presence of pRBD and pSW.
Main Methods:
- A prospective cohort study of 25,695 male health professionals in the US (Health Professionals Follow-up Study).
- Probable SW (pSW) and probable RBD (pRBD) were assessed using the Mayo Sleep Questionnaire in 2012.
- Mortality data (all-cause and cause-specific) were collected from 2012 to 2018 via national registries and other sources.
Main Results:
- During 6 years of follow-up, 4743 deaths were recorded.
- The co-occurrence of pSW and pRBD was associated with a 1.65-fold increased risk of all-cause mortality.
- Both parasomnias combined significantly increased mortality risk from neurodegenerative diseases (HR 4.57) and accidents (HR 7.36).
- Individual pSW was linked to all-cause mortality, while both pSW and pRBD were individually associated with increased risk of death from neurodegenerative diseases and accidents.
Conclusions:
- Probable parasomnias are associated with an elevated risk of all-cause mortality.
- These sleep disorders are significantly linked to increased mortality from neurodegenerative diseases and accidents.
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