Polysomnographic findings in men over 55 years of age with narcolepsy type 1

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare polysomnographic parameters of nocturnal sleep in male patients with narcolepsy type 1 aged over 55 years with age-matched controls. Patients and methods: The cohort consisted of 17 men (mean age 66.1 +/- 8.3 years) with narcolepsy type 1 whose previously obtained polysomnographic records were compared in terms of basic parameters of sleep macrostructure and its basic disorders with polysomnographic records of age-paired men (mean 65.0 +/- 6.6 years). Results: Compared to controls, males with narcolepsy type 1 had a significantly lower percentage of NREM 3 (8 vs. 26%; P = 0.003) and REM sleep stages (12 vs. 19%; P = 0.01) and a higher presentation of NREM 1 stages (17 vs. 10%; P = 0.01). The representation of wakefulness (29 vs. 26%) and NREM 2 stages (33 vs. 30%), mean sleep latency, REM sleep latency, sleep duration, and sleep efficiency (67 +/- 14 vs. 72 +/- 17%) did not differ between groups. The incidence of obstructive sleep apneas was comparable (apnea-hypopnea index 25 +/- 26 vs. 23 +/- 18). The index of periodic limb movements during sleep was significantly higher (46 +/- 31 vs. 16 +/- 22; P = 0.02) and the presence of REM sleep without atonia (47 vs. 8%; P = 0.02) was more frequent in the narcoleptic group. Conclusion: Men with narcolepsy type 1 have significantly less NREM 3 and REM stages and more NREM 1 stages.