Sleep disturbance is associated with decreased daily activity and impaired nocturnal reduction of blood pressure in dementia patients.

Our aim was to investigate the relationships between sleep disturbance and activities of daily living (ADL) and 24-h blood pressure patterns in institutionalized dementia patients. Using 107 institutionalized dementia patients (32 males and 75 females, mean age 76.3 years), patients with a mini mental state examination (MMSE) score<24 were classified into four groups based on ADL (normal or declined) and nocturnal reduction in blood pressure (dipper or non-dipper). The sleep/wake state was visually monitored hourly for 14 consecutive days, and daytime and nighttime sleep ratios were determined. MMSE scores were significantly lower in the declined ADL group than in the normal ADL group. The nighttime sleep ratio of the non-dipper/declined ADL group was significantly lower than in the other groups. Sleep disturbance was associated with the deterioration of MMSE scores, low ADL, and impaired nocturnal reduction in blood pressure in dementia patients.