Association of Sleep Status With Cognitive Functions in Centenarians: Evidence From Hainan Centenarian Cohort

J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2024 Mar 1;79(3):gbad185. doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbad185.

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the association between sleep quality, sleep duration, and cognitive functions among centenarians.

Methods: The baseline data of the China Hainan Centenarians Cohort Study served as the foundation for this study. Logistic regression was utilized to demonstrate the relationship between sleep status and cognitive impairment. Moreover, a canonical correlation analysis was performed to analyze the correlation between these variables.

Results: A total of 994 centenarians were included. After adjustment, poor sleep quality centenarians had an odds ratio of 1.77 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00-3.09) for cognitive impairment when compared to centenarians with normal sleep quality. Centenarians who slept for more than 9 hr had a stronger association with severe cognitive impairment, indicated by an odds ratio of 1.41 (95% CI: 1.02-1.96), compared to those who slept for 7-9 hr. Additionally, the canonical correlation analysis results revealed that the linear combination of sleep quality V1, primarily determined by sleep latency, daytime dysfunction, and subjective sleep quality, was associated with cognitive function; the linear combination of cognitive function W1, mainly determined by orientation, attention and calculation, and memory.

Discussion: There exists a correlation between poor sleep quality and cognitive impairment in centenarians, as well as a correlation between sleep duration >9 hr at night and severe cognitive impairment. The primary cognitive domains associated with sleep quality are orientation, calculation, and memory. It is imperative to monitor and safeguard the cognitive functions linked to poor sleep quality in the older individuals, with attention to orientation, calculation, and memory.

Keywords: Canonical correlation analysis; Centenarians; Cognitive functions; Sleep duration; Sleep quality.

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Centenarians*
  • Cognition
  • Cognitive Dysfunction* / epidemiology
  • Cohort Studies
  • Humans
  • Sleep