• Journal of Sleep Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.68-73
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• 2018

Objectives: Periodic leg movements in sleep (PLMS) are associated with arousals and autonomic activation, which may contribute to higher cardiovascular disease risk in patients with restless legs syndrome (RLS). Non-periodic leg movements in sleep (NPLM) are leg jerks in sleep that does not satisfy standard criteria of PLMS. The aim of this study was to evaluate impact of short-interval leg movements in sleep (SILMS) and isolated leg movements in sleep (ILMS) in comparison to PLMS on heart rate in both patients with RLS and healthy controls. Methods: Seven idiopathic RLS patients and 9 controls were enrolled in this study. Polysomnographic studies were analyzed and leg movements (LM) were automatically detected. NPLM can be classified as SILMS and ILMS. SILMS are LM separated by an inter-movement interval (IMI) shorter than 10 s, and ILMS are LM with IMI longer than 90 s. Frequency and heart rate associated with SILMS, ILMS, and PLMS in RLS patients were compared to those in controls. Heart rate change associated with LM were determined for a fixed time window. Results: Frequencies of SILMS and ILMS of patients with RLS were not significantly different to those of controls. RLS patients presented higher heart rate change associated with SILMS than PLMS before movement onset, while heart rate change associated with SILMS, ILMS, and PLMS were not different in the controls. Conclusions: Although the number of SILMS is not higher than PLMS, SILMS may have closely associated with higher cardiac activation of RLS than PLMS. Therefore, SILMS might be an important treatment target for patients with RLS to reduce long-term cardiovascular risk. Long-term prospective studies are needed to evaluate the relationship between NPLM and cardiovascular disease in patients with RLS.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.5-12
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• 2007

Sleep changes substantially with age. There is a phase advance in the circadian sleep cycle and increased waking after sleep onset. The elderly people wake more frequently during the night and experience fragmented sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness. The prevalence of sleep disorders increases with age, and the composition of sleep disorders in the elderly differs from that in the young. The most frequently encountered sleep disorders are psychophysiologic insomnia, sleep disturbance due to dementia, sleeprelated respiratory disorder, restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder, and REM sleep behavior disorder. To treat the elderly sleep problem appropriately, it is important to know how sleep pattern changes as we age and to understand the cause of sleep-related symptoms. This article will review the sleep physiology and common sleep disorders in the elderly.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.10-16
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• 2011

There has been a growing interest in sleep problems associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In this paper, we reviewed the current literature on the underlying sleep problems associated with ADHD. Sleep problems are very common in children with ADHD. Patients with ADHD may have sleep difficulties including difficulty falling asleep, frequent night awakening, increased tiredness upon waking. Children with ADHD are associated to restless legs syndrome, periodic limb movement and sleep-disordered breathing. Screening for other psychiatric comorbidities and the side effects of medications, such as psychostimulants, is also necessary when considering sleep problems in ADHD. Sleep problems can cause a negative impact on the quality of life and emotional well-being both of children with ADHD and their parents. Many evidences suggest that assessment of sleep difficulties should be included in evaluating the patient of ADHD.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.24-31
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• 2017

Objectives: Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) has been debated with regard to its clinical significance and diagnostic criteria. The current diagnostic criterion for PLMD in adults has been changed from periodic limb movement index (PLMI) > 5/hour to PLMI > 15/hour by the International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD). In this study, we aimed to investigate the changes in polysomnographic sleep variables according to PLMI and to determine the relevance of the diagnostic criterion for PLMD. Methods: Out of 4195 subjects who underwent standard polysomnography, we selected 666 subjects (370 males and 296 females, aged $47.1{\pm}14.8$) who were older than 17 years and were not diagnosed with primary insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, or REM sleep behavior disorder. Subjects were divided into three groups according to PLMI severity: group 1 ($PLMI{\leq}5$), group 2 (5 < $PLMI{\leq}15$), and group 3 (PLMI > 15). Demographic and polysomnographic sleep variables and Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) were compared among the three groups. Results: There were significant differences among the three groups in age and gender. Sleep efficiency (SE) and stage 3 sleep percentage in group 1 were significantly higher than those in groups 2 and 3. The wake after sleep onset (WASO) score in group 1 was significantly lower than those in groups 2 and 3. However, there were no significant differences in SE, stage 3 sleep percentage, or WASO between groups 2 and 3. Sleep latency (SL) in group 1 was significantly lower than that in group 3, but there was no difference in SL between group 2 and group 3. ESS score in group 1 was significantly higher than that in group 3, but there was no difference between group 2 and group 3. Partial correlation analysis adjusted by age showed that PLMI was significantly related to SE and WASO. Conclusion: This study suggests that PLMI influences polysomnographic sleep variables. In addition, we found the individuals who did not have PLMD but had PLMI > 5 were not different in polysomnographic sleep variables from the individuals who had PLMD according to the current criterion. These results raise questions about the relevance of the current diagnostic criterion of PLMD.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.164-171
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• 1997

Introduction : Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) is shown to common in patients with OSA and may become evident or worsened when treated with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Whether this is due to im proved sleep continuity. adverse nocturnal body positioning, uncovered by CPAP, or due to the CPAP stimulus is still debat-ed. We hypothesized that the increase in PLM activity following CPAP is associated with more supine-sleeping tendencies when being treated with CPAP. In the present work, we compared differences in the PLMD index (PLMI) and sleeping position of patients with sleep disordered breathing before and after CPAP treatment. Method : We studied 16 patients (mean age 46 yr, 9M, 7F) with OSA (11 patients) or UARS (5 patients) who either had PLMD on initial polysomnogram (baseline PSG) or on nasal CPAP trial (CPAP PSG). All periodic leg movements were scored on anterior tibialis EMG during sleep according to standard criteria (net duration; 0.5-5.0 seconds, intervals; 4-90 seconds. 4 consecutive movements). Paired t-tests compared PLMD index (PLMI), PLMD-related arousal index (PLMD-ArI), respiratory disturbance index (RDI), and supine sleeping position spent with baseline PSG and CPAP PSG. Results : Ten patients (63%) on baseline PSG and fifteen patients (94%) on CPAP PSG had documented PLMD ($PLMI{\ge}5$) respectively with significant increase on CPAP PSG(p<0.05). Ten patients showed the emergence (6/10 patients) or substantial worsening (4/10 patients) of PLMD during CPAP trial. Mean CPAP pressure was $7.6{\pm}1.8\;cmH_2O$. PLMI tended to increase from baseline PSG to CPAP PSG, and significantly increase when excluding 2 outlier (baseline PSG, $19.0{\pm}25.8/hr$ vs CPAP PSG, $29.9{\pm}12.5/hr$, p<0.1). PLMD-ArI showed no significant change, but a significant decrease was detected when excluding 2 outlier (p<0.1). There was no significant sleeping positional difference (supine vs non-supine) on baseline PSG, but significantly more supine position (supine vs non-supine, p<0.05) on CPAP PSG. There was no significant difference in PLMI during supine-sleeping and nonsupine-sleeping position on both of baseline PSG and CPAP PSG. There was also no significant difference in PLMI during supine-sleeping position between baseline PSG and CPAP PSG. With nasal CPAP, there was a highly significant reduction in the RDI (baseline PSG, $14.1{\pm}21.3/hr$ vs CPAP PSG, $2.7{\pm}3.9/hr$, p<0.05). Conclusion : This preliminary data confirms previous findings that CPAP is a very effective treatment for OSA, and that PLMD is developed or worsened with treatment by CPAP. This data also indicates that supine-sleeping position is more common when being treated with CPAP. However, there was no clear evidence that supine position is the causal factor of increased PLMD with CPAP. It is, however, suggested that the relative movement limitation induced by CPAP treatment could be a contributory factor of PLMD.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.73-79
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• 2004

Digital polysomnography was developed to overcome the limitations of Rechtschaffen and Kales rule and to compensate the shortcomings of paper polysomnography. It enables easy access to and secure preservation of sleep records, and provides various displays of sleep data to enhance efficiency of visual scoring of sleep records. Rechtschaffen and Kales rule had been criticized for its ambiguity and lack of considerations in spatial information of EEG. As sleep records are acquired and processed in digital mode, they can be analyzed at microscopic and macroscopic levels. Digital analysis of sleep records provides the basis for development of new sleep measures. Sleep staging in digital polysomnography is based on the various analyses of EEG. Sleep apnea, hypopnea and periodic limb movement are detected automatically by digital analysis of respiratory signals and leg EMG. Digital polysomnography plays a complementary role to visual scoring and compensates the limitations of paper polysomnography. Digital polysomnography, including acquisition, processing and analysis of sleep records in digital mode, can be a great help in the development of sleep medicine, enabling the development of new sleep measures and the exchange of sleep records between sleep laboratories.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.11
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• pp.1222-1227
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• 2008

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common neurological sleep disorder in adults characterized by the following diagnostic criteria: an urge to move that is usually associated with unpleasant sensations and symptoms that are worse at rest, relieved by movement, and most severe at night. The definite diagnosis of RLS in children is stricter and consists of self-description of leg discomfort or the presence of 2 of 3 supportive criteria combined with 4 essential criteria for diagnosis in adults. RLS in childhood has often been misdiagnosed as growing pains or a part of normal development. As a result, physicians have often missed the chance for proper management. We diagnosed a case of RLS in a 5-year-old boy presenting with growing pains, whose mother was found to have had RLS since childhood. We confirmed RLS by using a polysomnograph, in which the indices of periodic limb movement syndrome (PLMS) and periodic limb movement during wakefulness (PLMW) were recorded to be compatible with RLS criteria. The patient's ferritin level was low normal, and his symptoms improved after taking iron supplements.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 2013

Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the polysomnographic characteristics and prescription status of restless legs syndrome (RLS) patients in naturalistic setting. Methods: We reviewed medical record of the patients over 18 years olds who (i) satisfied the clinical RLS diagnostic criteria and (ii) had the polysomnography and got treatment related thereto. As a baseline, we evaluated the four diagnostic criteria of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) and the International Restless Legs Scale (IRLS) of the subjects. Then the polysomnography and the suggested immobilization test (SIT) were conducted and, after one month of pharmacotherapy using dopamine agonist, the IRLS was evaluated again. Results: A total of 211 subjects participated in this analysis and 94 (44.5%) of them were male and the other 117 (55.5%) were female and the average age of the 211 subjects was $46.9{\pm}14.2$. Out of such 211 subjects, 136 subjects (64.5%) also had the obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and 53 subjects (25.1%) also had the periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD). 185 subjects (87.7%) out of the 211 subjects had some other sleep disorders except RLS. The results of the polysomnography were as follows : 78.0% of sleep efficiency, 86.8 min of wake after sleep onset, and 3.4% of N3. More specifically, 12.4/h of the average apnea hypopnea index, 14.8/h of the periodic limb movement during sleep (PLMS), 41.2/h of the periodic limb movement during wake during SIT and 21.6/h of total arousal index during sleep. Out of the total subjects, 149 (70.6%) of them took the ropinirole and 47 (22.3%) of them took the pramipexole, and the average dosage of ropinirole was 0.9mg(dosage range 0.125-5 mg) while the average dosage of pramipexole was 0.5 mg (dosage range 0.125-4 mg). The dosage of the ropinirole showed a significant positive correlation with the age (r=0.25, p=0.002) and also with the IRLS (r=0.23, p=0.038). The IRLS at the baseline was 24.9 while the same was decreased down to 13.4 after one month. Conclusions: Analyzing the result of this study, a majority of clinical RLS subjects demonstrated comorbidity with some other sleep disorder such as the OSA or PLMD. 25.1% of the subjects showed a PLMD, which was less than in previous researches and the average PLMS was not very high as 14.8/h. The dosage of dopamine agonist taken was often a bit more than the amount recommended in Korea. A prospective research using a large scale controlled subjects will be necessary with respect to this topic.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.103-110
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• 1998

Objectives : High co-morbidity of periodic limb movements during sleep(PLMS) and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome(OSAS) is well known and their incidences tend to increase in the elderly. Previous studies have inconsistently rep0l1ed increase or no change of periodic limb movement index(PLMI) by nasal continuous positive airway pressure(CPAP) in OSAS without analyzing possible variables affecting PLMI. We attempted to examine PLMI change evoked during CPAP titration and also factors affecting it in OSAS. Methods : Twenty-nine OSAS patients(M:F=26:3, mean age: $51.6{\pm}10.6\;yrs$) without other sleep disorders except for PLMS were selected, based on the nocturnal (baseline) polysomnograhy. Another night of noctumal polysomnography was performed for CPAP pressure titration. We compared between those two nights PLMI, mean and lowest $SaO_2$, and sleep variables. We also calculated PLMI differences between baseline and CPAP nights, named as delta PLMI (value of CPAP night PLMI minus value of baseline night PLMI). Correlations were calculated between delta PLMI and factors such as age, body mass index, applied CPAP pressure, baseline night values of respiratory disturbance index, mean and lowest $SaO_2$, and sleep parameter differences between baseline and CPAP nights. Results : Decrease of RDI(p<.01) and increase in mean and lowest $SaO_2$ (p<.05, p<.01) were observed during CPAP night. No sleep parameters showed significant change except for the decrease of total stage 1 sleep%(p<.01) during CPAP night. Ten out of 29 patients showed PLMI increase, while the other 19 patients showed either no change(n=14) or even PLMI decrease(n=5) during CPAP night. The 10 patients showing PLMI increase during CPAP night showed a significant positive correlation between delta PLMI and baseline night RDI(p<.05), which meant that PLMI increase was found to be more prominent in higher RDI patients than in lower RDI ones. There were no significant correlations between delta PLMI and other factors in the other 19 patients. Conclusions : We suggest that during the baseline night PLMS would have been underscored and/or masked due to the overlapping of PLMS and apneas/hypopneas or the arousals induced by apneas/hypopneas. Despite its still unknown mechanism, the CPAP application may unmask PLMS and increase PLMI in a subgroup of OSAS patients. It needs to be evaluated further whether the chronic CPAP use sustains the above finding.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.58-63
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• 2005

Objectives: REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), characterized by excessive motor activity during REM sleep, is associated with loss of muscle atonia. In recent years, it has been reported that RBD has high co-morbidity with CNS disorders (especially, Parkinson's disease, dementia, multiple system atrophy, etc.). We aimed to assess differences in clinical and polysomnographic findings among RBD patients, depending on the presence or absence of central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Methods: The medical records and polysomnographic data of 81 patients who had been diagnosed as having RBD were reviewed. The patients were classified into two groups: associated RBD (aRBD, i.e., with a clinical history and/or brain MRI evidence of CNS disorder) and idiopathic RBD (iRBD, i.e., without a clinical history and/or brain MRI evidence of CNS disorder) groups. Twenty-one patients (25.9%) belonged to the aRBD group and 60 patients (74.1%) belonged to the iRBD group. The clinical characteristics and polysomnographic findings of the two groups were compared. Results: Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD), i.e., PLMI (periodic limb movement index)>5, was observed more frequently in the aRBD group than in the iRBD group (p<0.001, Fisher's exact test). Also, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), i.e., RDI (respiratory disturbance index)>5, was found more frequently in the aRBD group (p=0.0042, Fisher's exact test). The percentages for slow wave sleep and sleep efficiency were significantly lower in the aRBD group than in the iRBD group. Conclusion: We found that 1 out of 4 RBD patients had associated CNS disorders, warranting more careful neurological evaluation and follow-up in this category of RBD. In this category of RBD patients, we also found more frequent PLMD and OSAS. These patients were also found to have lower slow wave sleep and sleep efficiency. In summary, RBD patients with associated CNS disorders suffer from more disturbed sleep than those without them.