DIAGNOSIS OF SLEEP DISORDERS IN THE ELDERLY: CLINICAL AND POLYSOMNOGRAPHIC EVALUATION
Keywords:
Sleep Disorders, Elderly, Diagnosis, Polysomnography, Insomnia, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Circadian RhythmAbstract
Human aging causes physiological changes in sleep architecture; however, the prevalence of pathological disorders in this population is high, affecting approximately 50% of the elderly and impacting their quality of life and cardiovascular health. This narrative review analyzes diagnostic strategies for such disorders, emphasizing that detailed clinical evaluation, supported by validated questionnaires (PSQI, ISI) and sleep diaries, constitutes the basis of diagnosis, especially for chronic insomnia. For this, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT-I) is the gold standard treatment, surpassing pharmacotherapy in long-term safety and efficacy. On the other hand, conditions such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and movement disorders (MLD) require instrumental confirmation via polysomnography. The study also highlights the bidirectional relationship between alterations in circadian rhythm and neurodegenerative diseases, suggesting that sleep monitoring may serve as an early marker for conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
