Melatonin in older people with age-related sleep maintenance problems: a comparison with age matched normal sleepers.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether older people with age-related sleep maintenance problems have significantly lower melatonin levels than comparable normal sleepers.


METHODS
Case-control study.


METHODS
A largely urban population, Auckland, New Zealand.


METHODS
People over the age of 65 years, who either slept normally, or had age-related sleep maintenance problems. Participants were recruited through media advertising, and local interest groups. Initial screening was by mail (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), followed by interviews at a hospital day clinic. Exclusions included those with depression, cognitive impairment, medical and/or environmental problems which might impair sleep.


METHODS
N/A.


RESULTS
A metabolite of plasma melatonin, 6-sulphatoxymelatonin (aMT6s) was measured in the urine of 57 normal sleepers, and 53 people with age-related problems over 24 hours in three aliquots: 12:00-19:00h, 19:00-07:00h, 07:00-12:00h. There were clear differences in self reported quality of sleep but no difference in mean aMT6s 24 hour or total night excretory levels, or night/day ratios.


CONCLUSIONS
Older people with age-related sleep maintenance problems do not have lower melatonin levels than older people reporting normal sleep.
Baskett
J J
JJ
Waitemata Health Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand. baskettj@whl.co.nz
Wood
P C
PC
Broad
J B
JB
Duncan
J R
JR
English
J
J
Arendt
J
J
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine*; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine*
D008550:Melatonin