Sleep disturbances are prevalent in older adults, with estimates indicating that 40% to 70% experience issues. While the connection between sleep quality, duration, and depression has been extensively studied, the relationship between these sleep factors and anxiety among older adults has not been as thoroughly explored. This meta-analysis aims to address this gap by examining the associations of sleep quality and duration with anxiety symptoms in individuals aged 60 years and older.
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In a systematic review, researchers analyzed data from 19 studies comprising 70,716 participants. They found that poor sleep quality was significantly associated with anxiety, yielding an odds ratio (OR) of 4.00 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.96–5.41). Short sleep duration also correlated with increased anxiety, with an OR of 2.14 (95% CI: 1.85–2.46). Notably, poor sleep quality had a stronger association with anxiety than short sleep duration, reflected in a ratio of 1.87 when the two were directly compared.
The analysis took into consideration various factors, including geographic region, study design, and the tools used for measuring anxiety. Results indicated that the associations remained significant across different subgroup analyses, despite considerable heterogeneity noted in the sleep quality analysis.
The study's findings underscore the importance of evaluating sleep quality in older adults experiencing anxiety symptoms, suggesting that both domains of sleep should be considered in clinical practice. As the elderly population continues to grow, understanding modifiable factors like sleep disturbances is essential for improving mental health outcomes in this age group.
Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to clarify the directionality of the observed relationships and explore effective interventions for enhancing sleep quality and reducing anxiety among older adults.