Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate frequency of these symptoms and to estimate their relationship to cognitive impairment in our patients. Sleep disturbances have influence on the cognition and global clinician ratings and activities of daily living.
Materials and Methods:In this study 325 patients (194 women 59,7% and 131 men 40,3%), mean age 71,6 years, mean time of the disease 2,9 years, were examined. All patients underwent neurological and psychiatric examination. Neuropsychological assessment was carried out using Mini- Mental State (MMSE), Global Deterioration Scale (GDS), Clock Drawing Test, Blessed's Test, and Frontal lobe dysfunction test. Necessary biochemical tests were performed, including TSH and Vit. B12 level. There following data were analysed: epidemiological factors, risk factors for vascular diseases and dementia, history of illness, and kind of cognitive disturbances.
Results:The diagnosis of different types of dementia was made in 208 patients on the basis of ICD 10, NINDS ADRDA, NINDS AIREN criteria. The diagnosis was confirmed by EEG and NMR or CT scans The diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease was made in 83 patients (39%), vascular dementia in 54 patients (25,9%). Mixed causes of dementia were observed in 44 patients (21,5%). Vit B12 deficiency was the cause of dementia in 14 patients (6,3%). The diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment was made in 117 patients. There was high prevalence of depression (in 92 patients). Depression as the only one cause of cognitive function impairment occurred in 56 patients (26,9%). The diagnosis of Fronto-Temporal Dementia and Dementia with Lewy Bodies, brain tumors and hormonal disturbances were rarely made. There was high prevalence of sleep disturbances in our patients with dementia and with mild cognitive impairment. Insomnia and sleep-wakefulness rhythms disturbances were observed in 209 patients (64,3%), more commonly: in females and in patients with low educational attainment, with depression and with higher values of the mean GDS score. Disturbed circadian rhythms were presented more frequently in Alzheimer's Disease and insomnia was more often present in depression. Sleep disturbances were associated with memory impairment especially recall, disorientation, disturbances of attention, appetite, engagement difficulties, aggressiveness and psychotic symptoms, motor aphasia, and drawing disturbances. Patients with dementia received Cholinesterase Inhibitors mainly rivastigmine Conclusion: Sleep disturbances are frequent symptoms connected with cognitive impairment.
Back to S092 Sleep, Circadian Rhythms and Aging
Back to The Eleventh International Congress