2BeÅŸiktaÅŸ Belediyesi +65 Aktif YaÅŸlanma Projesi Ä°STANBUL Introduction: Our purpose was to determine the problems related with sleep quality and continuity, and also to investigate the physical, psychological and some demographic factors that can lead these problems.
Materials and Method: This is a cross-sectional, descriptive study from January to December 2008 evaluating 448 elderly, living in BeÅŸiktaÅŸ district. The interviews were performed face to face. Sleep disorders were classified according to DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical manual of Mental Disorders).
Results: 52,7% of the elders (n=236) have sleep problems, 40,3% have difficulties in falling asleep, 21,6% wake up in a short while after sleep, 8,5% wake up tired, 4,7% have an abrupt unresistable desire to sleep in the day time, 4,2% frequently wake up due to nightmares and 3,8% complain about disturbance in diurnal-nocturnal sleep patterns. The complaints about excessive sleeping during the day and restless legs were 2.5% each. 1.3% of elders complained that their breathing stops a short while after sleeping. The individuals with physical activity problems or any chronic disease have more sleep disorders. Among chronic diseases, depression, colitis, hypertension, reflux, gastritis, ulcers, osteoporosis have more negative consequences on sleep. Sleep disorders were more frequent in those with lower income.
Conclusion: There is a relationship between sleep problems of the elderly and their physical disorders and/or psycho-social conditions.
Keywords : Aged; Sleep; Chronic Disease