Analysis of Sleep Quality in People With Dementia: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

Background: Between 25% and 60% of subjects with dementia have shown sleep disturbances. Causes are diverse and seem to be related to factors such as aging, the presence of psychiatric diseases, or the consumption of drugs. This study aims to determine the influence of dementia on sleep quality and to analyze the factors that influence sleep quality in subjects ≥65 years. Methods: Thirty-one subjects were studied (15 living with dementia). PSQI was administered and statistical analysis compared the results among categories of other variables (age, gender, coffee consumption, drugs, BMI, psychiatric diseases). This study took place in Spain. Results: A prevalence of 46.7% of sleep disturbances was found in subjects with dementia. No significant differences were observed in the total score obtained in the PSQI between the dementia group (6.06 ± 3.78 points) and the group without dementia (7 ± 5.65 points). A significant inverse relationship was found between the sleep quality and the number of daily drugs and the presence of psychiatric diseases. Conclusion: Poor sleep quality affects people with dementia, however, we cannot affirm that dementia is the cause of it. Consumption of daily drugs and psychiatric diseases are factors that influence the sleep quality in subjects aged ≥65 years.