Abstract
The prevalence of sleep problems in elderly, such as insomnia, is a relevant issue in our society. Poor sleep quality is viewed by many as an inevitable result of aging. In this context, this study aimed to estimate the prevalence and associated factors of sleeping disturbances in elderly men and women (60 years and older). The present study is part of SABE Study (Health, Well-being and Aging), a cohort conducted in São Paulo, Brazil. The sample included in the present cross-sectional study comprised 1,334 elderly people aged 60 years or older. Sleep disturbances were assessed based on responses of study participants on whether they had experienced any sleep disturbance in the past month. Among the elderly assessed, 44.9% had overall sleep disturbances, which were more frequent in women (51.5%) and in 75 to 79 years old (48.2%). According to the regression analysis, the variables gender, joint diseases, as well as nocturia and urinary incontinence, were associated with sleep disorders. Increase in sleep disturbances was found not to be linearly age-dependent. Gender, pain, urinary and nocturia incontinence were factors associated with sleep disorders. Thus, we might conclude that the absence of sleep disturbances in older adults depends on gender and health status.
Highlights
There is consensus about the changes that occur in the characteristics of sleep throughout life[1]
We highlight the health problems as statistically significant factors associated with sleep difficulty
Among those complaining of sleep problems, 52.6% had diabetes mellitus (DM), 59.2% had joint diseases and 53.4% mentioned pain or discomfort (p
Summary
There is consensus about the changes that occur in the characteristics of sleep throughout life[1]. There is a reduction in sleep-wake consolidation among the elderly[2], the sleep quality in this population should not necessarily be poor. A systematic review by Smagula et al.3suggests that chronological age is not an independent predictor of future sleep disorders. The prevalence of such problems in the elderly, such as insomnia, for example, may lead to impairment of cognition and development of dementia, evidencing the important role of sleep in the decline of cognitive functions in this group[4]. A recent study shows that total sleep duration was more important for cognition in a group of young adults (mean age = 23.1 years) than in older adults (62.7 years). Sleep disruptions were shown to be detrimental to cognitive aspects in both groups[5]
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