Changes in Cognitive Function Associated with Sleep Disordered Breathing in Older People

Abstract

The results of this study suggest that declining cognitive function is associated primarily with increases in daytime sleepiness. Although cognitive decline was also associated with increases in RDI, this association did not hold in the more inclusive model which also included variable of SDB, oximetry, sleep and subjective report. One theoretical model could suggest that any relationship between SDB and cognitive function may be mediated by the effect of SDB on daytime sleepiness. These results suggest that older patients suffering from mild to moderate SDB may benefit from the treatment of SDB, even if they are not markedly hypoxemic.