Both Short and Long Sleep Durations Are Associated with Poor Cognition and Memory in Chinese Adults Aged 55+ Years—Results from China Health and Nutrition Survey

Abstract

We aimed to examine the associations between sleep duration and cognitive functions and memory in older Chinese adults attending the China Health and Nutrition Survey. A total of 7924 participants 55 years and older who reported their sleep duration and had a cognitive screen test in 2004, 2006, and 2015 were included in the analysis. Mixed-effects logistic regression models were used to assess the associations. A short sleep duration (≤6 h/day) and long sleep duration (≥10 h/day) were positively associated with a low global cognitive score (odds ratio—OR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.01–1.50; OR: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.17–1.79, respectively). Both short sleepers and long sleepers had an increased risk of self-reported poor memory (OR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.39–1.91; OR: 1.48, 95% CI: 1.25–1.74, respectively). No differences in the above associations were found for income, education, and urbanity. In conclusion, both the short and long sleep duration were associated with declined cognition and memory. Maintaining a normal sleep duration may aid in the prevention of cognitive function decline in older adults.