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DISTURBANCES in the pattern of sleep are common in older adults. These sleep–wake disturbances can be the result of physiologic changes that are apparently part of normal aging, a primary sleep disorder, a secondary sleep problem resulting from one of a variety of causes, or a combination of the three. Sleep disruption often leads older persons to report symptoms of disturbed sleep to their physicians in an attempt to alleviate the disturbance.1 2 3 4 5 With the rapid increase in the elderly population, the practicing physician should be aware of the changes in sleep–wake patterns that accompany normal aging, the various sleep disorders . . .
Desforges et al. (1990) studied this question.