The frequency and nature of sleep disorders in a community-based population of patients with Parkinson's disease.

Sleep disturbances in Parkinson's disease (PD) are a common problem. The aim of this study was to detail the frequency and nature of sleep disorders in a representative population of PD patients. A recently identified prevalent population, consisting of 161 PD patients were used as a representative population. Twenty-seven of 122 (22%) patients were identified as having marked sleep disorders, with sleep fragmentation and nocturia being the most commonly reported problems. Sleep scores worsened with higher Hoehn and Yahr stages. Sleep disturbances are a relatively common complication of PD and worsen with increasing Hoehn and Yahr stage.