Sleep in Parkinson's disease -: a questionnaire study

The aim of the study was to ascertain the prevalence of sleep and daytime disorders in a non-selected group of patients suffering from Parkinson's disease. A self-administered questionnaire focused on sleep and daytime disorders was posted to 130 patients regularly consulted for Parkinson's disease. Filled in questionnaires were returned by 107 patients, of which: 46 were females and 61 males, with an average age of 61 years (+/-8), with Parkinson's disease duration of 10 years (+/-5) an average. The patients were classified as stages 1 to 4 (average 2.5 +/- 10.6) on the Hoehn and Yahr scale. The results confirm a very frequent occurrence of dyssomnia in Parkinson's disease patients (78%). The ratio of patients having symptoms suggesting REM sleep behaviour disorders - 50% - is high. 36% of patients feel subjective problems while falling asleep. Restless legs before falling asleep are stated by 49% patients. Snoring is reported by 30% patients, 13% patients state problems with apnoic pauses during sleep. The average number of awakenings reported subjectively is 2.3 per night (+/-1.4).