Sleep Disturbances May Increase Frailty in Older Adults

Poor sleep quality and duration may increase physical function impairment in older adults, according to the results of a recent study.

The researchers utilized data from 392 non-institutionalized adults aged 65 years or older who attended primary health care centers in Spain to conduct a cross-sectional study. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to examine sleep quality and duration. Poor sleep quality was defined in this study as a PSQI global score ≥ 10.

Physical functions indicators measured in the participants included physical frailty, muscle weakness, and lower extremity functional impairment (LEFI). Physical frailty was identified through the use of the FRAIL scale, while muscle weakness was measured through grip strength using a hand-held dynamometer. The Short Physical Performance Battery was used to evaluate LEFI.

The results revealed odds ratios of 2.90 for physical frailty, 2.32 for muscle weakness, and 2.73 for LEFI, indicating that individuals with poor sleep quality were more likely to have functional limitations.

Sleep disturbances, use of sleeping medication, and daytime dysfunction were among the sleep quality aspects associated with frailty. Daytime dysfunction was also associated with muscle weakness, in addition to subjective poor sleep quality. Only poor sleep efficiency was linked to LEFI. There was no relationship between night-time sleep duration and physical function indicators.

“Poor self-reported sleep quality, but not sleep duration, was associated with an increased frequency of physical frailty, LEFI, and muscle weakness,” the authors concluded. “Interventions to improve sleep quality could only contribute to healthy ageing.”

—Leigh Precopio

Reference:

Arias-Fernández L, Smith-Plaza AM, Barrera-Castillo M, et al. Sleep patterns and physical function in older adults attending primary health care. Family Practice. 2021;38(2): 147-153. doi: /10.1093/fampra/cmaa085