[Sleep disturbances in Parkinson's disease: characteristics, evaluation and therapeutic approaches].

INTRODUCTION: Parkinson's disease is a well known representent of the movement disorder group of neurological disorders. The diagnosis of Parkinson's disease is based on specific symptoms and signs of movement abnormalities. In addition to classic motor symptoms, Parkinson's disease has characteristic non-motor features, and some of these emerges the classic signs.

AIM: The authors discuss characteristics and therapeutic interventions in Parkinson's disease related sleep disturbances.

METHOD: The authors reviewed and summarised literature data on sleep disorders in Parkinson's disease published in the PubMed database up to January 2015.

RESULTS: Sleep problems are important non-motor complains (insomnia, hypersomnia, REM behaviour disorder, sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome). The neurodegenerative process of the brain-stem, the effect of symptoms of Parkinson's disease on sleep and concomitant sleep disorders constitute the background of the patient's complains.

CONCLUSIONS: Appropriate diagnosis and therapy of the consequential or concomitant sleep disorders in Parkinson's disease will help to improve the patient's quality of life.