title: [Sleep disorders in the elderly].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sleep disorders are common in the elderly, and may lead to substantially impaired quality of life. Many of these disorders are not diagnosed or treated. This article covers treatment options and characteristics of common sleep disorders in the elderly.
  
  
  METHODS
  The article is based on the authors' own research and clinical experience, and on articles identified through non-systematic searches in Pubmed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Many somatic and psychological complaints are associated with sleep disorders; depression is the most common comorbid diagnosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A thorough assessment of the patient's sleep pattern is crucial before treatment is instigated. Pharmacological intervention is the most common treatment, but serious side effects are common and there is a high risk of addiction. Effective non-pharmacological interventions are available, also for the elderly.
authors.affiliation: Institutt for allmenn- og samfunnsmedisin, Universitetet i Oslo, Postboks 1130 Blindern, 0318 Oslo, Norway. arne.fetveit@medisin.uio.no
authors.forename: Arne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fetveit
authors.forename: Bjørn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bjorvatn
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006970:Disorders of Excessive Somnolence / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D020447:Parasomnias / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D011788:Quality of Life; D012148:Restless Legs Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D020178:Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D012913:Snoring / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy