Prevalence of SRMD Across the Lifespan

Prevalence of SRMD Across the Lifespan

Sleep-Related Movement Disorders (SRMD) can occur across the lifespan. However, the prevalence of some sleep-related movement disorders is greater during childhood and then decreases as an individual ages, whereas the prevalence of other sleep-related movement disorders increases with age. The graphic below illustrates some of the common sleep-related movement disorders and their prevalence throughout an individual’s lifespan.

Sleep- Related Bruxism

• Children = 14-17% and decreases over the lifespan

• Teenagers to young adults = 12%

• Young to middle-aged adults = 8%

• Older adults = 3%

Rhythmic Movement Disorder

• 9 months of age = 59%

• 18 months = 33%

• 5 years old = only 5%

Restless Legs Syndrome

• Older adults are more likely to be affected than are children and younger adults- the prevalence increases up to 60-70 years of age.

• Prevalence is estimated to be around 2% in the pediatric population.

• RLS symptom onset usually occurs before the patient is 30 years old when a genetic component is present, but in cases without a genetic component, onset occurs later.