New research highlights the link between poor sleep quality, dementia, and increased mortality risk in older adults.

Summary: A new study published in Aging reveals that poor sleep quality is strongly linked to increased mortality risk in older adults. Researchers from the National Institute on Aging and other institutions found that poor sleep exacerbates the risk of death, even after accounting for various lifestyle and health factors. The study also highlights differences in the impact of sleep quality on mortality risk based on sex and race, with males and older White adults being particularly affected.

Key Takeaways:

1. Direct Link Between Sleep and Mortality: Poor sleep quality is directly associated with increased mortality risk in older adults, regardless of other health or lifestyle factors, according to new research.
2. Dementia’s Role in Mortality Risk: Dementia raises mortality risk, especially in individuals with better sleep quality, males, and older White adults.
3. Need for Further Research: The study calls for more research into biopsychosocial factors, particularly in men, to better understand how sleep quality influences mortality risk.

Evidence suggests a strong connection between sleep quality, dementia, and overall mortality, according to a new study published in Aging.

Poor sleep and inadequate sleep duration have become significant public health concerns, especially among older adults, and are linked to cardiometabolic risks like obesity. Nearly 20% of adults face health problems due to insufficient or poor-quality sleep. 

In the research paper, investigators from the National Institute on Aging, Clemson University, VA National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans, and University of Texas Health Science Center examined whether poor sleep quality influenced the relationship between dementia and mortality risk in older US adults and whether these associations varied by sex and race.

The authors report that poor sleep quality is directly related to mortality risk, even before adjusting for lifestyle and health-related factors. Dementia is associated with increased mortality risk, particularly among individuals with better sleep quality, males, and older White adults.

“Our findings warrant further exploration of biopsychosocial factors that might influence the sleep and mortality association, particularly within men,” the authors conclude.