A relationship between periodic limb movements in sleep and high nocturnal blood pressure values in patients with insomnia

Abstract

Study Objectives: Insomnia, which is the most common sleep disorder, is a significant public health burden. Growing evidence suggests the existence of a relationship between insomnia and hypertension. The aim of this study was to verify the hypothesis that periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS) are related to increased nocturnal blood pressure (BP) values in patients with insomnia. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed polysomnographic recordings of patients with insomnia who were seen in our clinic from January to December 2012. Patients were divided into two groups based on their nocturnal BP values: group I had normal nocturnal BP values (n = 27) and group II (n = 29) had elevated nocturnal BP values. The sleep architecture of the groups was compared. Results: The groups did not differ in terms of age, sex, or the prevalence of cardiovascular disorders. However, we found that the number of PLMS was significantly higher in group II than in group I (PLMS index: 18.8 vs. 6.5; p = 0.01). Conclusions: Our results suggest that PLMS are related to increased nocturnal BP values in patients with insomnia, which may partly explain the relationship between insomnia and hypertension. Therefore, it is possible that treatment of PLMS may normalize nocturnal BP in patients with insomnia.