The age-related decline in melatonin production, that is proposed to contribute to poor sleep quality, is well-documented21. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that elderly insomnia sufferers exhibit lower melatonin levels than elderly people without insomnia5. However, the inter-individual variations in ‘normal’ levels of melatonin are large. Therefore, measurement of melatonin is not considered relevant in clinical practice. Age is a good surrogate marker of melatonin deficiency in the primary insomnia patient population22.
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