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Study updates sleep parameters for men and women in different age groups


May 1, 2019

Dr. Tetyana KendzerskaResearchers hope new age and sex-based sleep parameters will improve the interpretation of sleep studies and the diagnosis of sleep disorders. They may also help reduce the unnecessary use of sleeping pills by older adults. About one in three older Canadians take sleeping pills, which can double their risk of falling. A systematic review and meta-analyses co-led by Dr. Tetyana Kendzerska consolidated data from more than 160 studies and identified new sleep parameters for men and women in each decade of life. The previous values used by sleep specialists and researchers were developed using primarily young adults and outdated scoring criteria. They were not well suited for understanding sleep in older adults and by sex. This study will lead to more accurate interpretation of sleep studies and help clinicians and researchers understand whether sleep is in the normal range.

“These new sleep parameters for men and women in every decade of their life will help physicians provide better care and help researchers better understand sleep.”- Dr. Tetyana Kendzerska associate scientist and sleep physician at The Ottawa Hospital, assistant professor at the University of Ottawa

Authors: Boulos M.I., Jairam T., Kendzerska T., Im J., Mekhael A., Murray B.J

Source: Lancet Respiratory Medicine

Funding: This study received no dedicated fundingResearch like this is possible because of generous donations to The Ottawa Hospital for research to improve patient care.

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Disease and research area tags: Systematic reviews

Scientific Program tags: Inflammation and Chronic Disease Program