JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Symptom network analysis allows modelling of the interactions between socio-demographic variables with the potential to improve sleep at a population level. This study aims to analyze age and sex differences regarding sleep health using a symptom network approach.

Objective:

This study aims to analyze age and sex differences regarding sleep health using a symptom network approach.

Methods:

We examined 39 clinical variables, collected from a large French population concerned about their sleep. Sleep clinical variable centralities within the network were compared by sex and four age groups.

Results:

Data from 35,808 participants were obtained. The average age was 42.7 years and 69.7% were women. Overall, there were no significant differences in the structure of the symptom networks between sexes or age groups. The most central symptoms across all groups were “Non-restorative sleep” and “Excessive daytime sleepiness”. In the group of the youngest, additional central symptoms were “Chronic circadian misalignment” and “Chronic Sleep Deprivation” (related to sleep behaviors), particularly among women. In the group of the oldest, “Leg sensory discomfort” remained central, and “Breath abnormality complaint” became among the top four central symptoms, sleep disorders symptoms surpassing sleep behaviors observed in the youngest age group.

Conclusions:

Non-restorative sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness were central symptoms in all groups. The behavioral component was particularly central in the young and women group. Sleep-related respiratory and motor symptoms were prominent in the older group. These network analyses underscore the importance of comprehensive sleep promotion and screening strategies tailored to sex and age to impact the global network of sleep health.