Yan Press1,2,3, Boris Punchik4,5,6, Tamar Freud4. 1. Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Siaal Research Center for Family Medicine and Primary Care, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel. yanpr@clalit.org.il. 2. Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment Unit, Clalit Health Services, Yasski Clinic, 24 King David Street, Beer-Sheva, Israel. yanpr@clalit.org.il. 3. Unit for Community Geriatrics, Division of Health in the Community, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel. yanpr@clalit.org.il. 4. Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Siaal Research Center for Family Medicine and Primary Care, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel. 5. Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment Unit, Clalit Health Services, Yasski Clinic, 24 King David Street, Beer-Sheva, Israel. 6. Unit for Community Geriatrics, Division of Health in the Community, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Most previous studies showed an association between sleep impairment in the elderly and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Majority of these studies were conducted in "strong", community-dwelling elderly. AIM: To assess the association between subjective sleep impairment and its affective disturbances among frail elderly patients. METHODS: The retrospective study included patients 65 years old and above. Data included socio-demographic characteristics, the mini-mental state examination, the short anxiety screening test, the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale, and the Patient Health Questionnaire. The patients were asked about sleep complaints. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 496 patients. The mean age was 83.7 ± 6.2 years, and only 7 (1.4%) did not report any sleep disturbance. After adjustment, depression symptoms were associated only with decreased overall sleep satisfaction (OR 2.62, 95% CI 1.18-5.81), while anxiety symptoms were associated with decreased overall sleep satisfaction (OR 3.17, 96% CI 1.71-5.88), difficulty falling asleep (OR 3.58, 95% CI 1.96-6.52), waking up during the night (OR 3.16, 95% CI 1.63-6.1), morning weakness (OR 2.68, 95% CI 1.44-5.0) and daytime drowsiness (OR 2.39, 95% CI 1.21-4.69). DISCUSSION: Sleep impairment is very prevalent among frail elderly and associated much more with anxiety than with depression. CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study provide further evidence for the importance in taking a detailed history of sleep habits during the course of the geriatric assessment in frail elderly patients.
BACKGROUND: Most previous studies showed an association between sleep impairment in the elderly and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Majority of these studies were conducted in "strong", community-dwelling elderly. AIM: To assess the association between subjective sleep impairment and its affective disturbances among frail elderly patients. METHODS: The retrospective study included patients 65 years old and above. Data included socio-demographic characteristics, the mini-mental state examination, the short anxiety screening test, the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale, and the Patient Health Questionnaire. The patients were asked about sleep complaints. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 496 patients. The mean age was 83.7 ± 6.2 years, and only 7 (1.4%) did not report any sleep disturbance. After adjustment, depression symptoms were associated only with decreased overall sleep satisfaction (OR 2.62, 95% CI 1.18-5.81), while anxiety symptoms were associated with decreased overall sleep satisfaction (OR 3.17, 96% CI 1.71-5.88), difficulty falling asleep (OR 3.58, 95% CI 1.96-6.52), waking up during the night (OR 3.16, 95% CI 1.63-6.1), morning weakness (OR 2.68, 95% CI 1.44-5.0) and daytime drowsiness (OR 2.39, 95% CI 1.21-4.69). DISCUSSION: Sleep impairment is very prevalent among frail elderly and associated much more with anxiety than with depression. CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study provide further evidence for the importance in taking a detailed history of sleep habits during the course of the geriatric assessment in frail elderly patients.