Sleep disturbances and falls in older people.
BACKGROUND
Sleep disturbances are common in older people and may contribute to risk of falling.


METHODS
Cross-sectional studies were performed in hostels and with an Internet-based survey. Questionnaires on falls and sleep disturbances were undertaken with clinical measures of cognition, mobility, blood pressure, and vision in the participants in hostels.


RESULTS
There were 150 participants in hostels (mean age 81 +/- 8 years) and 150 respondents to the Internet survey (mean age 70 +/- 5 years). Sleep disturbances were reported by most participants in both the hostel and Internet studies. In hostel participants, falls were associated with poor sleep quality (odds ratio = 4.5, 95% confidence interval, 1.9-12.2; p =.002) and number of nocturnal awakenings (2.5 +/- 1.5 vs 2.0 +/- 1.4, p =.04). Other risk factors for falls in these persons included Geriatric Depression Scale score, pain, Timed Get Up and Go Test score, and the use of diuretics. In the Internet respondents, risk factors for falls included poor health rating and the use of spectacles, bifocals, and walking aids; fewer falls were reported by those participants without any sleep disturbances.


CONCLUSIONS
Sleep disturbances are common in older people and are associated with their risk of falling. Internet-based surveys may be a useful adjunct method for research in older people.
Latimer Hill
Elizabeth
E
Center for Education and Research on Ageing, Concord Hospital and Universitiy of Sydney, Australia.
Cumming
Robert G
RG
Lewis
Ray
R
Carrington
Susan
S
Le Couteur
David G
DG
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology