title: Sleep disorders in adult-onset myotonic dystrophy type 1: a controlled polysomnographic study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sleep disturbances and excessive daytime somnolence are common and disabling features in adult-onset myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1).
  
  
  METHODS
  Our study used questionnaires, ambulatory polysomnography and the multiple sleep latency test to evaluate sleep-wake cycle and daytime sleepiness in unselected adult-onset DM1 patients. We recruited 18 patients affected by adult-onset DM1 and 18 matched controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sleep efficiency was <90% in 16/18 patients, and it was significantly reduced when compared with controls. Reduced sleep efficiency was associated with abnormal respiratory events (5/18 patients) and/or periodic limb movements (11/18 patients). The Periodic Limb Movement Index was significantly increased in DM1 versus controls. A significantly lower mean MSLT sleep latency was detected in DM1 versus controls, but it did not reach pathological levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our controlled study demonstrated sleep alterations in unselected consecutive DM1 patients. Periodic limb movements in sleep are commonly associated with sleep disturbance in adult-onset DM1, and it may represent a marker of CNS neurodegenerative processes in DM1.
authors.affiliation: Neurophysiopathology Department, Sleep Medicine Centre, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Policlinico Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy. a_romigi@inwind.it
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Romigi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Izzi
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pisani
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Placidi
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Pisani
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Marciani
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Corte
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Panico
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Torelli
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Uasone
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vitrani
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Albanese
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Massa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009223:Myotonic Dystrophy / Q000150:complications*; D017286:Polysomnography; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D055815:Young Adult