Lower Sleep Quality Research Articles

Low sleep quality in major depressive disorder is associated with thinning and decreased functional connectivity of the insular cortex: Insular cortex and sleep quality in depression

Sleep disturbances are common in depression, but their neurobiological correlates are poorly understood. Recent evidence suggests links between insula dysfunction and sleep dysregulation. This study aimed to explore the association of sleep quality and structural and functional characteristics of the insula in major depressive disorder (MDD). We included 47 patients with MDD and 15 healthy controls (HC) matched for age and sex. Sleep quality was assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Patients were classified into two subgroups with poor sleep (PAT-PS, PSQI > 8) and normal sleep (PAT-NS, PSQI ≤ 8), respectively. MRI-scans were acquired using structural and functional resting-state sequences. We analysed cortical thickness of bilateral insulae and connectivity strength of the insula to the whole brain using intrinsic connectivity. Group differences were assessed with a mixed-model MANCOVA controlling for age and sex. Patients had higher PSQI-scores than HC. PAT-PS (n = 21) and PAT-NS (n = 26) did not differ regarding age, sex and depression severity. Insular cortical thickness was reduced in PAT-PS compared to both HC and PAT-NS. Additionally, PAT-PS had lower insular intrinsic connectivity than HC. In contrast, there were no significant group differences in insular intrinsic connectivity between PAT-NS and HC. Across all subjects, PSQI-total was negatively associated with insular cortical thickness and insular intrinsic connectivity. Insular intrinsic connectivity within patients was negatively associated with depression severity. PSQI-total and depression severity did not correlate significantly. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that sleep disturbances in MDD patients are associated with structural and functional impairments of the insula.

Sleep pathology and use of anabolic androgen steroids among male weightlifters in Norway

Use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) causes drastic changes in hormonal milieu and is associated with a range of medical and psychological consequences. Sleep pathology is a common side-effect of AAS use but few have studied these relations. This study examined the relationship between AAS use, psychological distress and sleep quality, and how phases of heavy use and abstinence influence sleep. The Pittsburgh-Sleep-Quality-Index (PSQI) and Jenkins Sleep Scale (JSS) were used to assess sleep quality, and psychological distress was measured with the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist (HSCL). Participants comprised men who have previous or current long-term use of AAS (n = 68) and non-using weightlifting controls (WLC) (n = 58), where a subgroup of participants (n = 22) was monitored over ~ 6 months during phases of AAS use and withdrawal. Group differences on PSQI and JSS were evaluated with Kruskal-Wallis H tests, and the mediating role of psychological distress was evaluated using structural equation modeling. Linear mixed models were used to assess the role of AAS use and withdrawal on sleep quality. Among the AAS group, 66% reported sleep problems as a side effect, and 38% had used sleep medication. PSQI scores showed significantly lower sleep quality in the AAS group compared to WLC (p < 0.001) on all subscales except “sleep latency”. Furthermore, sleep quality was significantly poorer during withdrawal-phases than periods with AAS use (p < .001). Our findings provide key insight into sleep disturbances among men who use AAS, suggesting a link between sleep disturbances and hormone levels that deviate from physiologically normal levels in both directions.

The comorbidity of anxiety-related disorders and insomnia: An analysis of mechanisms

Anxiety is a common epidemiological mental disorder that includes Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), panic disorders (PD), and phobias; its causes include anxiogenic genes and the living environment; insufficient or low sleep quality can trigger and intensify anxiety disorders. Neurotransmitters play an essential role in operating our bodys crucial functions, such as emotional regulation and sleep, so much neuroimaging evidence suggests they are critical to forming anxiety and insomnia. Previous longitudinal studies suggest that insomnia is a significant index and predictor of mental health and, therefore, can also be generated from mental disorders due to their comorbidity. This short review will posit the formation of insomnia caused by the presence of anxiety disorders in patients with both insomnia and anxiety symptoms. This review further discusses some therapies that enhance and improve sleep quality among insomnia problems. It mostly debates the thesis that anxiety is the driving factor and precedes insomnia and its related neuropathological developments that can be highlighted from neurotransmitter systems and sleeping models such as the hyperarousal model. Overall, it is significant that individuals with anxiety-related disorders have lower sleeping qualities that cause functional impairment and lower subjective living qualities.

Sleep and circadian rhythm disruptions in behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia.

Sleep and rest-activity rhythm alterations are common in neurodegenerative diseases. However, their characterization in patients with behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) has proven elusive. We investigated rest-activity rhythm alterations, sleep disturbances, and their neural correlates in bvFTD. Twenty-seven bvFTD patients and 25 healthy controls completed sleep questionnaires and underwent 7 days of actigraphy while concurrently maintaining a sleep diary. Cortical complexity and thickness were calculated from T1-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images. Compared to controls, bvFTD patients showed longer time in bed (95% confidence interval [CI]: 79.31, 321.83) and total sleep time (95% CI: 24.38, 321.88), lower sleep efficiency (95% CI: -12.58, -95.54), and rest-activity rhythm alterations in the morning and early afternoon. Increased sleep duration was associated with reduced cortical thickness in frontal regions. Patients with bvFTD showed longer sleep duration, lower sleep quality, and rest-activity rhythm alterations. Actigraphy could serve as a cost-effective and accessible tool for ecologically monitoring changes in sleep duration in bvFTD patients. We assessed sleep and circadian rhythms in behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) using actigraphy. Patients with bvFTD show increased sleep duration and reduced sleep quality. Patients with bvFTD show rest-activity alterations in the morning and early afternoon. Sleep duration is associated with reduced cortical thickness in frontal regions. These alterations may represent an early sign of neurodegeneration.

Differential clinical characteristics across traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Syndromes in patients with sickle cell disease.

Pain is a common, debilitating, and poorly understood complication of sickle cell disease (SCD). The need for clinical pain management of SCD is largely unmet and relies on opioids as the main therapeutic option, which leads to a decreased quality of life (QoL). According to the literature, acupuncture has shown certain therapeutic effects for pain management in SCD. However, these clinical studies lack the guidance of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Syndrome Differentiation principles for treatment. To characterize differences in clinical presentation amongst TCM diagnosed Syndromes in SCD patients. Fifty-two patients with SCD and 28 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled in an ongoing trial of acupuncture. Each participant completed a series of questionnaires on pain, physical function, fatigue, sleep, anxiety, depression and QoL and underwent cold- and pressure-based quantitative sensory testing at baseline. Data on prescription opioid use over the 12 months prior to study enrollment was used to calculate mean daily morphine milligram equivalents (MME). Differences among the three TCM Syndromes were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey post hoc testing. Two-sample t-tests were used to compare SCD and HC groups. TCM diagnosis criteria classified SCD patients into one of three TCM Syndromes: (a) Equal; (b) Deficiency; and (c) Stagnation. The Stagnation group exhibited higher pain interference, physical dysfunction, nociplastic pain, fatigue, anxiety, depression, MME consumption and lower sleep quality and QoL compared to the Equal group. Few differences were observed between HCs and the Equal SCD group across outcomes. Deficiency and Stagnation groups were differentiated with observed- and patient-reported clinical manifestations. These findings suggest that TCM diagnosed Syndromes in SCD can be differentially characterized using validated objective and patient-reported outcomes. Because characteristics of pain and co-morbidities in each SCD patient are unique, targeting specific TCM "Syndromes" may facilitate treatment effectiveness with a Syndrome-based personalized treatment plan that conforms to TCM principles. These findings lay the foundation for the development of tailored acupuncture interventions based on TCM Syndromes for managing pain in SCD. Larger samples are required to further refine and validate TCM diagnostic criteria for SCD.

Relationship between working hours and sleep quality with consideration to effect modification by work style: a community-based cross-sectional study.

Although longer working hours are associated with lower sleep quality, it is still necessary to work a certain number of hours to make a living. In this study, we investigated the relationship between working hours and sleep quality in a community setting. We then explored how to manage work style while maintaining the sleep quality of workers without markedly reducing working hours. 4388 day-time workers in various occupations living in Ota ward in Tokyo were included in the analysis. The relationship between working hours and sleep quality measured by the Athens Insomnia Scale was examined by ANOVA and linear regression models. Effect modification by work style (work end time, shift in working start and end time, current work from home status, change in work place) on the relationship between working hours and sleep quality was investigated by multivariate linear regression models. Longer working hours were significantly associated with lower sleep quality. The magnitude of the relationship between long working hours and low sleep quality was significantly larger when work end time was later (p for trend of interaction < 0.01) and when working start and end time were shifted later (vs no change, p for interaction = 0.03). The relationship was marginally greater when the proportion of work from home was increased (vs no change, p for interaction = 0.07). A relationship between longer working hours and lower sleep quality was observed among workers. Leaving work earlier or optimizing the work environment at home may diminish the adverse effect of long working hours on sleep quality.

Identifying factors, such as low sleep quality, that predict suicidal thoughts using machine learning

Every year, around 800,000 people die by suicide worldwide, and it is the second leading cause of death for individuals aged 15-24 years. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) is conducted annually to ask the general United States population aged 12 years and older questions about mental health, substance use, and suicidal thoughts. Some of the factors the survey considers are substance use, including need for treatment and disorders, and mental health topics, including major depressive episodes, suicidal ideation and attempts, and mental illness. In our research, we sought to identify associations between suicidal ideation and relevant variables, such as sleep quality, hopelessness, and anxious behavior, by analyzing survey responses from the 2020 NSDUH. Due to the density of the survey and no obvious direct relationship between any variables with suicidal ideation, through our research we aimed to clearly find and display any association. We hypothesized that frequent anxious thoughts and behavior (such as fidgeting and restlessness), feelings of sadness, and/or low sleep quality would be the factors most predictive of having suicidal thoughts. Using a random forest classifier, we found that sleep problems were highly predictive of suicidal ideation. Professionals and clinicians should keep these findings in mind when developing suicide prevention efforts, such as identifying and supporting people potentially at risk, intervening to improve sleep quality, and teaching coping skills.

The Relationship Between Pain, Daily Function, and Sleep Quality in Diabetic Neuropathy

Background and Aims: Poor sleep quality affects insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism. There were limited information about sleep quality in individuals with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used in this study to measure sleep quality and determine how sleep quality and pain were related in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Methods: This is a secondary analysis of an aerobic exercise research study in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Participants performed the Pain Inventory and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index at baseline to measure clinical pain and sleep quality, respectively. Pain Inventory consists of two com¬ponents including The Pain Severity Index and the Pain Interference Index. The relationship between pain and sleep quality was evaluated using Pearson’s correlations. Results: The study showed that 77.8% of the subjects had low sleep quality (i.e., Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores &gt; 5) (mean score of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores was 9.94±4.35). The mean scores of the Pain Interference Index and Pain Severity Index were 3.54±2.90 and 3.36±2.21, respectively. Both Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Brief Pain Inventory-Pain severity index had positive relationship (r= 0.642, p = 0.004). In addition, there were positive relationship between Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Brief Pain Inventory-Pain interference index (r= 0.591, p = 0.01). Conclusions: The majority of patient with diabetic peripheral neuropathy had low sleep quality. A higher pain intensity and more interference with daily activities were both strongly linked with poor sleep quality. The item of sleep discomfort in everyday activity was highly influenced in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Future studies are needed to determine if addressing poor sleep quality would impact perception of pain as well as diabetes management.

Impact of Aerobic Exercise Training on Sleep Quality in Adults with Somatic Dysfunction

Introduction: It has been demonstrated that aerobic exercise improves cardiovascular health and endurance. Patients with somatic dysfunction have low quality sleep, and training in aerobic exercise is important for enhancing the quality of the patients’ sleep. Training with aerobic exercises includes cycling, running, and brisk walking. Aim: To study that aerobic exercise improves sleep quality in adults with somatic dysfunction. Materials and Methods: Databases such as PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar, Scopus, Cochrane were explored to uncover fulltext publications authored in English and were searched to retrieve desired articles. In addition, reference list of the retrieved article were searched in the analysis process. Result: A total 278 articles are retrieved after removing duplicates articles, only 3 articles were evaluated in this literature review. Conclusion: It has been concluded that aerobic exercise training improves sleep quality in adults with somatic dysfunction. Aerobic exercise training has shown promising effects on sleep quality among adults with somatic dysfunction. Research indicates that regular aerobic activity can improve sleep duration, efficiency, and overall quality. By reducing stress and promoting relaxation, aerobic exercise contributes to better sleep patterns, potentially enhancing the well-being of individuals with somatic dysfunction. Implementation: Aerobic exercise protocols are employed to raise physical health and improve sleep quality in adults.

Melatonin for Sleep Quality and Occupational Cognitive Performance in Shift Workers with Low Sleep Quality: A Randomized, Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled Clinical Trial

About one‐third of the workers have irregular working hours, subsequently putting them at risk of sleep disorders. It also has negative impacts on employee performance. Sleep disorders and executive performance have been attributed to melatonin dysregulation due to long‐term exposure to artificial light. This study investigates melatonin effects on sleep quality and cognitive performance in employees with sleep disorders following shift work. Seventy‐two patients with sleep disorders following shift work were equally assigned to melatonin (5 mg before sleep at night after shifts) or matched placebo groups in a randomized, parallel‐group, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled design. Patients were assessed using the short Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (shortPSQI), Occupational Cognitive Failure Questionnaire (OCFQ), and adverse events at baseline and weeks 1 and 4. Data from 65 patients were analyzed. Baseline characteristics were comparable between the groups (p values &gt;0.05). The melatonin group showed a greater reduction in total shortPSQI score from baseline to the first (p value = 0.018) and fourth (p value = 0.001) weeks, as well as in total OCFQ score to the fourth week (p value &lt;0.001). In addition, the time‐treatment interaction effects on total scores of shortPSQI (p value = 0.004) and OCFQ (p value &lt;0.001) were significant. The only different adverse event between the two groups was fatigue, which was higher in the placebo group (p value = 0.042). Melatonin was safely and tolerably superior to placebo in treating patients with sleep disorders following shift work in the short term. Evidence also shows its effects on improving occupational cognitive performance in the medium term. The study protocol was registered and published prospectively in the Iranian registry of clinical trials (registration number: IRCT20090117001556N153).

The association between sleep and Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review.

To review existing literature based on predefined eligibility criteria to understand the connection between sleep disturbance and Alzheimer's disease. A thorough and systematic evaluation of numerous studies was carried out to assess one or more of the following epidemiological factors: (1) sleep disorders, (2) cognitive impairment, and (3) risk estimates for cognitive impairment due to sleep. Studies suggest that individuals who experience memory loss may encounter sleep disturbances before noticing other symptoms. Numerous sleep disorders, such as excessive and inadequate sleep duration, poor sleep quality, circadian rhythm abnormalities, insomnia, and obstructive sleep apnea were found to increase the risk of cognitive dysfunction and dementia. Additionally, lower sleep quality and shorter sleep duration have been linked to higher cerebral-β-amyloid levels. Objective evidence for the development of cognitive impairment is provided by the architecture of sleep stages. Patients experiencing sleep problems may benefit from specific types of sleep medicine as a preventative measure against cognitive decline. Sleep disorders can have adverse effects on cognitive health. The duration and quality of sleep are fundamental factors for maintaining a healthy brain as we age. Proper sleep can aid prevent cognitive impairment, particularly Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

Videoconferencing During the COVID-19 Pandemic is Associated with Sleep Disruption in Young Adults.

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a shift to working and learning from home and a concomitant rise in the use of virtual communication technology, such as videoconferencing. The current study prospectively examined the association between videoconferencing and sleep in a sample of young adults attending a university during the pandemic. The effects of videoconferencing on health and wellness outcomes and academic performance were also evaluated. Participants completed the core Consensus Sleep Diary and reported engagement in videoconferencing, the use of electronic devices, and physical activity daily for 8 consecutive days. They also completed baseline measures of sleep, communication technology use, physical activity, and mental distress, as well as released their end-of-term GPA. Results were evaluated via multilevel modeling and path analysis. Participants with a heavier videocall volume lost 17 m of sleep and suffered nearly a 1% reduction in sleep efficiency for each additional hour of videoconferencing compared to those with a lower call volume. They also tended to spend more time awake during the night, have earlier sleep midpoints, and report worse sleep, although those trends did not reach statistical significance. For everyone, including individuals with lower videocall volume, earlier sleep midpoints, lower sleep quality, somewhat shorter sleep, and higher fatigue were reported on days with a relatively high videocall load compared to days with a low videocall load. Increased academic engagement with videoconferencing predicted lower academic performance and higher psychological distress: Both relationships were mediated by sleep. Use of videoconferencing for personal reasons, however, was directly associated with a reduction in distress. Videoconferencing is an important determinant of sleep and may impact health and wellness as well as academic outcomes in young adults. The effects of virtual communication on sleep and human behavior warrant further study in this and other populations.

An investigation of computer-game addiction, physical activity level, quality of life and sleep of children with a sibling with a chronic condition.

It is known that chronic condition also affects siblings without chronic illness. Healthy siblings of children with a chronic condition and aged 9-14 years and healthy children with a sibling without chronic illness and their parents were included in the study. The aim of our study was to examine the internet-game addiction, physical activity, quality of life and sleep in children with a sibling with chronic condition and compare them with their peers with a healthy sibling. Computer game addiction, physical activity, sleep quality and quality of life were evaluated respectively by Computer Game Addiction Scale for Children, Child Physical Activity Questionnaire, Children's Sleep Disorder Scale and Children's Quality of Life Scale. While the mean age of 75 children with chronically ill siblings was 10.65 ± 1.59 years, the mean age of 75 healthy children with healthy siblings was 10.46 ± 2.09 years. It was observed that children with a sibling with a chronic condition were more tend to computer-game addiction, had lower sleep quality, lower quality of life in terms of school functionality and psychosocial health compared to children with a healthy sibling (p < 0.05). It was revealed that in families with children with a chronic condition, siblings with no health problems should also be evaluated in psychosocial terms and supported by appropriate approaches, such as to increase the level of physical activity.

Sleep quality and falls in middle-aged and older adults: ELSI-Brazil study.

To verify the association between low self-reported sleep quality (LSQ) and fall in middle-aged and older adults every half-decade of life. A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the first wave (2015-2016) of the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil), which is nationally representative. The sample consisted of 8,950 participants who were allocated into eight age groups: 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, and ≥ 85 years. The questionnaires used included self-reported sleep quality and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire short version. Fisher's exact test followed by binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the odds ratio of sleep quality for fall occurrence, controlled for confounding variables. Individuals aged 50-105 years (63.6 ± 10.2 years), 57.0% females and 43.0% males, participated in this study. Overall, 21.5% of participants experienced at least one fall. The relative frequency of participants classified as having high or LSQ remained constant across each half-decade of life. The LSQ exhibited a statistically significant OR (p < 0.05) for falls across age groups up to 84, even after accounting for confounding variables. LSQ is significantly associated with an increased occurrence of fall in adults aged >50 years, but not for ≥ 85 years regardless of sex and physical activity level.

The Relationship Between Self-Reported Sleep Quality and Psychological Health in Undergraduates During the Home Quarantine of COVID-19

The present study aimed to investigate self-reported sleep quality and psychological well-being, specifically anxiety, depression and stress, in undergraduate students during home quarantine. A total of 7,364 students participated and completed the PSQI and DASS-21 scales. The results showed that higher-grade students were more likely to have mental health problems compared to their lower-grade students. Additionally, male students reported better sleep quality than females, and high-grade students reported more sleep problems than low-grade students. Significant correlations were observed between PSQI scores and stress, anxiety and depression scores (r=0.469, 0.458, 0.408, p＜0.01). Specifically, the PSQI score explained 22.0%, 21.0% and 16.6% of the variance in stress, anxiety and depression scores respectively. In conclusion, gender and grade differences in sleep and mental health were evident, with female students reporting lower sleep quality than males, and high-grade students experiencing worse sleep quality and mental health than their low-grade students.

Clinical, Sociodemographic, and Psychological Factors Associated with Transition Readiness in Patients with Epilepsy.

The transition to adult care for patients with epilepsy is a complicated clinical issue associated with adverse outcomes, including non-adherence to treatment, dropout of medical care, and worse prognosis. Moreover, youngsters with epilepsy are notably prone to emotional, psychological, and social difficulties during the transition to adulthood. Transition needs depend on the type of epilepsy and the epileptic syndrome, as well as on the presence of co-morbidities. Having a structured transition program in place is essential to reduce poor health consequences. A key strategy to optimize outcomes involves the use of transition readiness and associated factors assessment to implement the recognition of vulnerability and protective aspects, knowledge, and skills of these patients and their parents. Therefore, this study aims to provide a comprehensive framework of clinical and psychosocial aspects associated with the transition from pediatric to adult medical care of patients with epilepsy. Measures examining different aspects of transition readiness and associated clinical, socio-demographic, psychological, and emotional factors were administered to 13 patients with epilepsy (Mage = 22.92, SD = 6.56) with (n = 6) or without (n = 7) rare diseases, and a respective parent (Mage = 56.63, SD = 7.36). patients showed fewer problems in tracking health issues, appointment keeping, and pharmacological adherence as well as low mood symptoms and moderate resiliency. Moreover, they referred to a low quality of sleep. Notably, parents of patients with rare diseases reported a lower quality of sleep as compared to the other group of parents. Increasing awareness around transition readiness is essential to promote self-management skills of patients with epilepsy and their parents. Anticipating the period of transition could be beneficial, especially to prevent problematic sleep patterns and promote independence in health care management. Parents of patients with epilepsy and rare diseases should be monitored for their mental status which can affect patients' well-being.

THE IMPACT OF DEMENTIA ON SLEEP QUALITY DURING COVID-19

Abstract Sleep disturbances are documented among older adults, and it is well-known that COVID-19 disproportionately affected older adults. Yet, studies on sleep quality among older adults with dementia, specifically, tend to focus on caregiver sleep. The purpose of this study was to examine sleep quantity and quality among older adults during 2020. Data were taken from the 2020 National Health and Aging Trends study, an annual study of Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and older. Chi-square tests were used for bivariate analysis, and multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess differences in sleep quantity and quality between dementia and non-dementia older adults in the national sample. Results revealed that during 2020, the year the COVID-19 pandemic appeared in the U.S., older adults with dementia reported less sleep, and lower quality of sleep compared to those without dementia. This study demonstrates that sleep disturbances are significant among dementia patients. Poor sleep has previously been linked to other risks affecting quality of life, such as falls and caregiver stress, and nonpharmacological approaches are preferred for dementia patients given risks associated with psychotropics. Thus, there is a need for further study to explore changes in sleep quality over time, and to develop non-pharmacological interventions to support dementia patients’ sleep quality and quantity.

DAILY STRESS PROCESSES, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, AND SLEEP IN OLDER ADULTHOOD

Abstract Older adults who engage in healthy behaviors such as being physically active and sleeping well report lower levels of stress. Less is known about the links between exposure and reactivity to stressful events in daily life and their relationship with physical activity and sleep. The current study examined within-person associations between daily physical activity, sleep, and exposure and affective reactivity to naturally occurring interpersonal stressors. Older adults (N = 180) from the Daily Experiences and Well-being Study completed ecological momentary assessments (EMAs) every 3 hours for 5-6 days where they reported negative affect throughout the day and interpersonal tensions at the end of the day. They also reported their nightly sleep quality and wore Actical accelerometers to capture physical activity. Older adults reported greater numbers of stressors on days when they spent less time being sedentary and engaged in more light physical activity. On days when older adults experienced more stressors, they reported higher levels of negative affect, but this association was attenuated when they were more physically active that day. Additionally, older adults reported lower sleep quality the night after they reported higher numbers of stressors. These findings underscore the importance of assessing physical activity, sleep and stressful events in daily life and have implications for both physical and psychological well-being.

LGBTQ-RELATED DISCRIMINATION REDUCES SLEEP QUALITY IN OLDER ADULTS: EVIDENCE FROM VUSNAPS AND UCNETS

Abstract Sleep is a critical protective factor for health outcomes with low-quality sleep linked to increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive decline. Theoretical work proposes that minority stress may negatively affect sleep quality for LGBTQ and other minoritized populations. We examine differences in sleep quality across sexual orientation and gender identity and test the relationship between minority stress and sleep quality for LGBTQ adults. Data come from 1) UC Berkeley Social Networks Study (UCNets), a panel study of 50–70-year-olds with an oversample of older LGBTQ adults and 2) the Vanderbilt University Social Networks, Aging, and Policy Study (VUSNAPS), a panel study of older LGBTQ adults aged 50-76. LGBTQ identity includes participants who are transgender and/or gay, lesbian, bisexual, or something else. We estimate Poisson models predicting sleep quality as a function of LGBTQ identity and exposure to LGBTQ-related discrimination. Sleep quality is measured using three items available in both studies: 1) the number of nights per week trouble falling asleep, 2) number of nights per week trouble staying asleep, and 3) number of mornings per week waking well rested. Experiences of LGBTQ-related discrimination in the last year were measured using the Daily Heterosexist Experiences Questionnaire. We find that LGBTQ identity is significantly associated with poorer sleep quality compared to non-LGBTQ peers. Among LGBTQ adults, sleep quality declines as the number and intensity of recent experiences of LGBTQ-related discrimination increases. Poorer sleep quality may be an underlying mechanism exacerbating health disparities across sexual orientation and gender identity.

Sleep and quality of life in kidney transplant recipients with and without non-melanoma skin cancer: a comparative study.

Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is prevalent in kidney transplant recipients (KTR), related tothe immunosuppressive effects of anti-rejection therapy. Sleep disturbances can alterthe immune system and enhance oxidative stress, which may increase the risk of carcinogenesis. This study aimed to analyze the quality of life and sleep in KTR with and without NMSC. Participants answered a set of questionnaires, the WHOQOL-bref, thePittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), theEpworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), the Berlin Questionnaire and self-reported chronotype. The total sample was distributed in the following groups: KTR with NMSC (n = 42), KTR without NMSC (n = 43) and healthy controls (n = 41). The mean scores of the questionnaires were not statistically significant, except for 3 domains of PSQI (sleep quality, sleep latency and daily consequences of poor sleep). The KTR with NMSC and control group presented worse sleep quality. Worse sleep latency and more daytime consequences were found in KTR groups. All groups had a numerical predominance of low-quality sleep (PSQI) and greater sleepiness (EES). Higher risk of obstructive sleep apnea was not observed and the evening-type chronotype was most frequent. In the WHOQOL, compromised physical domain was observed in KTR. Significant results were reached in few aspects of quality of life and sleep comparing KTR and controls. All groups presented excessive daytime sleepiness and low-sleep quality.