Title

Subtypes of sleep problems in patients with Alzheimer disease.

Authors

Raymond L. Ownby, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Gloria Peruyera
Amarilis Cruz Acevedo, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
David A. Loewenstein, University of Miami
Steven Sevush

ISBN or ISSN

1064-7481

Publication Title

American journal of geriatric psychiatry

Volume

22

Issue

2

Publication Date / Copyright Date

2-1-2014

First Page

148

Last Page

156

DOI Number

10.1016/j.jagp.2012.08.001

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Sleep disturbances are common in patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) and can contribute to cognitive dysfunction and a negative impact on patients' and caregivers' quality of life. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether subtypes of sleep disturbance could be identified in patients with AD and to assess the relation of these subtypes to patient characteristics and caregiver mood.

METHODS: As part of routine clinical assessment, primary caregivers of 344 patients with AD completed a questionnaire that included five items about the patients' sleep. Patients' cognitive and functional status and their mood were assessed as was caregivers' mood. Latent class analysis was used to define subgroups of patients based on their sleep patterns. After identification of groups of sleep disturbance, the relation of group membership to patient and caregiver characteristics was also evaluated.

RESULTS: Analyses revealed groups with moderate and severe sleep problems as well as a group without problems. Patients with more severe sleep disturbance were older, less well educated, and had poorer cognitive and functional status. Caregiver and patient depression was related to membership in the severe group, suggesting that both may contribute to caregivers' ratings of more severe sleep disturbance, whereas only patient depression was related to membership in the moderate group.

CONCLUSION: Sleep problems in patients with AD are related to poorer cognitive and functional status and patient and caregiver depression. Caregiver depression was most closely related to more severe patient sleep disturbance.

Disciplines

Medical Specialties | Medicine and Health Sciences | Osteopathic Medicine and Osteopathy

Keywords

Affect, Aged, Alzheimer Disease, Caregivers, Cognition, Female, Humans, Male, Risk Factors, Severity of Illness Index, Sleep Disorders

NSUWorks Citation

Ownby, Raymond L.; Peruyera, Gloria; Acevedo, Amarilis Cruz; Loewenstein, David A.; and Sevush, Steven, "Subtypes of sleep problems in patients with Alzheimer disease." (2014). Faculty Articles. 92.
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/hpd_com_faculty_articles/92