Sleep Med Psychophysiol.  2011 Jun;18(1):23-28.

Prevalence and Clinical Features of Probable REM Sleep Behavior Disorder- An Epidemiological Study in Osan City

• Choe YM
• Yoon IY
• Kim KW
• Lee SD
• Ju G
• Park JH

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) has received little attention in epidemiologic studies. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of probable REM sleep behavior disorder (pRBD) in the elderly population and its clinical features.
METHODS
A random sample of 1,588 was selected from a roster of 14,050 elderly population living in Osan city. The subjects were asked to fill out the REM sleep behavior disorder screening questionnaire (RBDSQ). Subjects whose score were 5 or higher on RBDSQ underwent a diagnostic phase of person-to-person assessment by experts in RBD.
RESULTS
Among 1,588 subjects, 886 elderly subjects participated in the screening phase and 123 subjects were assessed in the diagnostic phase. Eleven subjects were diagnosed as having pRBD, so prevalence was 1.5% (95% CI=0.70-2.30%). The frequency of depression and cognitive decline was significantly increased in patients with pRBD compared to subjects without pRBD, and there was no difference in sleep disturbances between two groups.
CONCLUSIONS
Probable REM sleep behavior disorder is not rare in the elderly but frequently under-recognized. More attention should be paid to evaluation and treatment of RBD.

Keyword

REM sleep behavior disorder; REM sleep behavior disorder screening questionnaire; Prevalence; Elderly

MeSH Terms

Aged
Depression
Epidemiologic Studies
Humans
Mass Screening
Prevalence
Surveys and Questionnaires
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
Sleep, REM