Geriatric Sleep Disorder Workup

  • Author: Guy E Brannon, MD; Chief Editor: Iqbal Ahmed, MBBS, FRCPsych (UK)   more...
 
Updated: Mar 29, 2012
 

Approach Considerations

Ferritin levels of less than 50 ng/mL have been found to be present in elderly patients with restless legs syndrome. [#WorkupOtherTests]

After a detailed history, a clinician may find it necessary to refer the patient to a sleep disorders center for evaluation of sleep apnea. A full-night polysomnogram records brain waves by electroencephalography (EEG); eye movement by electro-oculography (EOG); chin muscle tension and leg movements by electromyography (EMG); heart rate by electrocardiography (ECG); and blood oxygen saturation levels by pulse oximetry.

Portable recorders are also used as screening tools. These devices are placed on patients in the afternoon, and patients are then sent home to sleep on their beds at night. These systems are more convenient and less expensive than a laboratory polysomnogram.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Guy E Brannon, MD  Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center; Director, Adult Psychiatry Unit, Chemical Dependency Unit, Clinical Research, Brentwood Behavior Health Company

Guy E Brannon, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Medical Association, American Medical Writers Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Society of Addiction Medicine, Association of Clinical Research Professionals, Louisiana State Medical Society, and Southern Medical Association

Disclosure: AstraZeneca Grant/research funds Other; Janssen Grant/research funds Other; Pfizer Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Sunovion Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Eli Lilly Grant/research funds Other; Forrest Grant/research funds Other

Coauthor(s)

Subir Vij, MD, MPH  Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Eastern Virginia Medical School; Medical Director, Portsmouth Community Health Center

Subir Vij, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physician Executives, American College of Physicians, and American Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Angela Gentili, MD  Director of Geriatrics Fellowship Program, Associate Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University Health System and McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Angela Gentili, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Geriatrics Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Iqbal Ahmed, MBBS, FRCPsych (UK)  Faculty, Department of Psychiatry, Tripler Army Medical Center; Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences: Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Clinical Professor of Geriatric Medicine, University of Hawaii, John A Burns School of Medicine

Iqbal Ahmed, MBBS, FRCPsych (UK) is a member of the following medical societies: Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine, American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry, American Neuropsychiatric Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology, and Royal College of Psychiatrists

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

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