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Disturbed Sleep with Aging May be related to Testosterone |
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Written by Robbie Durand
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Sunday, 20 April 2008 |
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Aging is
associated with disrupted sleep such as greater sleep fragmentation, poorer
sleep efficiency, and lighter sleep (less slow-wave sleep) than younger
individuals. Researchers examined 1312
older men and examined the relationship between testosterone and time spent
sleeping and sleep quality. Total testosterone levels were highest in men who
slept 7 to 8 hours and lowest in men who slept less than 5 hours. Older men with lower testosterone levels
had (on
average) a lower percentage of time in bed spent asleep and a higher proportion
spent awake after sleep onset. Individuals with lower testosterone had a higher
incidence of nocturnal hypoxemia (sleep apnea), compared to individuals with
higher testosterone levels. In summary, lower testosterone levels were
associated with decreased sleep efficiency and increased nocturnal awakenings.
Lower testosterone levels were also associated with more severe
sleep-disordered breathing. Hormone therapy for men maybe the key to
getting a good night sleep for aging men.
Barrett-Connor E, Dam TT, Stone K, Harrison SL,
Redline S, Orwoll E; for the Osteoporotic Fractures in
Men (MrOS) Study Group. The association of testosterone
levels with overall sleep quality, sleep architecture, and
sleep-disordered breathing. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008.
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Research and Review 