Assessing ambulatory geriatric sleep complaints.
Sleep disturbances afflict more than 50% of adults age 65 and older. Sleep apnea and periodic limb movements of sleep are the primary sleep disorders in the elderly. Patient assessment tools, a thorough physical examination, and appropriate tests can simplify the diagnostic process; sleep center referral is not always warranted. Ultimately, accurate sleep disorder diagnoses can result in decreased geriatric morbidity and mortality, and increased patient quality of life.
Grandjean
C K
CK
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Md., USA.
Gibbons
S W
SW
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D020189:Nocturnal Myoclonus Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010808:Physical Examination; D012148:Restless Legs Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D020919:Sleep Disorders, Intrinsic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*