Study objectives: The goal of this study was to examine the natural history of periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS) in older adults.
Design: Prospective, longitudinal design.
Setting: San Diego area.
Participants: Community-dwelling older adults.
Interventions: NA MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Subjects participated in follow-up visits every few years. Sleep disorders were assessed at each visit using sleep questionnaires and overnight sleep recordings. Changes in PLMS over time were examined as well as variables that were associated with change. Average PLMS did not change over time, although there was considerable variability within the sample. In women, changes in PLMS were associated with changes in sleep-disordered breathing. This relationship was not found in men.
Conclusions: Although the prevalence of PLMS is high for older adults, the severity of the disorder does not progressively worsen with increasing age.