Breathing-Related Sleep Problems
May Increase Risk Of Cognitive Issues,
Dementia In Older Women
By Grace Wiltbank
Contributing Writer
Older women who don’t sleep soundly because of breathing problems should let their doctors know about the problem as soon as possible.
Breathing problems during sleep have already been linked to hypertension, heart disease and diabetes. Now, a group of eight scientists from various medical centers from across the country have determined that “sleep-disordered breathing” has been linked to a range of mental problems in older women — from mild cognitive impairment to full fledged dementia.
Between January 2002 and April 2004 the scientists studied 298 older women who did not have dementia. Of that number, 193 did not have sleep disordered breathing. The 105 (35.2%) with sleep disordered breathing problems had an increased risk of developing mental impairment because sleep fragmentation and hypoxia have negative effects on brain function. Hypoxia interferes with the flow of oxygen to tissues throughout the body.
Of the 298 women studied, most were white, had a mean age of 82.3 years of age and 32% had graduated from high school and attended college.
The scientists who followed the women over a number of years said their study showed that older women with sleep disordered breathing problems had an increased risk of developing mental impairment within five years.
Although sleep fragmentation is a factor, the scientists said, the major threat comes from hypoxia. The scientists said that their findings suggest a potential role for supplemental oxygen therapy in elderly women.
The scientists added that given the high prevalence of both sleep disordered breathing and mental impairment among older people, the possibility of an association between the two conditions — even a modest one — has the potential for a large public health impact.
The scientists urged that more research be done in this area.
May Increase Risk Of Cognitive Issues,
Dementia In Older Women
By Grace Wiltbank
Contributing Writer
Older women who don’t sleep soundly because of breathing problems should let their doctors know about the problem as soon as possible.
Breathing problems during sleep have already been linked to hypertension, heart disease and diabetes. Now, a group of eight scientists from various medical centers from across the country have determined that “sleep-disordered breathing” has been linked to a range of mental problems in older women — from mild cognitive impairment to full fledged dementia.
Between January 2002 and April 2004 the scientists studied 298 older women who did not have dementia. Of that number, 193 did not have sleep disordered breathing. The 105 (35.2%) with sleep disordered breathing problems had an increased risk of developing mental impairment because sleep fragmentation and hypoxia have negative effects on brain function. Hypoxia interferes with the flow of oxygen to tissues throughout the body.
Of the 298 women studied, most were white, had a mean age of 82.3 years of age and 32% had graduated from high school and attended college.
The scientists who followed the women over a number of years said their study showed that older women with sleep disordered breathing problems had an increased risk of developing mental impairment within five years.
Although sleep fragmentation is a factor, the scientists said, the major threat comes from hypoxia. The scientists said that their findings suggest a potential role for supplemental oxygen therapy in elderly women.
The scientists added that given the high prevalence of both sleep disordered breathing and mental impairment among older people, the possibility of an association between the two conditions — even a modest one — has the potential for a large public health impact.
The scientists urged that more research be done in this area.
