Predictors of sleep quality in community-dwelling older adults in Northern Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Poor sleep quality may have a significant and negative impact on physical and mental health. Poor sleep quality also increases the risk of all-cause mortality. Few studies have explored the sleep quality of community-dwelling older adults in Taiwan.

PURPOSE: This study examined the prevalence of sleep disturbance and potential factors of influence in community-dwelling older people in Taiwan.

METHODS: We used a cross-sectional design to recruit a total of 160 individuals 60 years of age or older from an urban area in northern Taiwan. All subjects completed a structured questionnaire that included demographic data, physical health status, a social activity/habit survey, as well as the Chinese versions of Barthel's index, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, short form of the Geriatric Depression Scale, the SF-36 Health-Related Quality of Life Survey, and the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly.

RESULTS: Participants reported a rate of sleep disturbance of 41.9%. Sleep disturbance was associated with nocturia and dizziness, hypertension, increased use of medications such as antihypertensives and gastric medicines, poor self-reported functional status, depression, and sedentary lifestyle. Logistic regression showed nocturia, sedentary lifestyle, and mental component summary score as significant predictors of sleep disturbance.

CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Sleep disturbance should be examined within the context of an individual's physical, mental, and social status. Symptom management education and an active lifestyle are necessary to promote sleep quality in older people.