JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Cognitive function is a concern in the aging population and associate with higher rates of health care utilization.

Objective:

This study aims to evaluate the association between sleep duration and cognitive function among middle-aged and elderly in China.

Methods:

Using data from 15,526 participants in the 2020 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHRLS), three composite indicators, encompassing episodic memory, mental acuity, and overall cognitive function, were employed to evaluate cognitive performance. Sleep duration per-night, self-reported through face-to-face interviews, was also obtained. Adjustments were made using multiple generalized linear regression models, accounting for demographic, lifestyle, and health-related covariates.

Results:

Among the 15,526 respondents analyzed, of 53.02% (8,232) were female and 46.98% (7,294) were male, with an average (SD) age of 61.5 years (SD=9.27). those reporting sleep durations of 4 hours or less (β=-1.85,95% confidence interval CI], -2.07~1.62), 5 hours (β=-0.55, 95%CI,-0.78~0.33, p<0.001), 9 hours β=-1.78,95%CI,-2.17~1.39), and 10 hours or more(β=-3.01,95%CI,-3.39~2.63) per night had significant negative relationship with cognitive function. In the adjusted model, the negative impact of long sleep (≥10 hours) on overall cognitive function became more pronounced (β=-3.01, 95% CI: -3.39~-2.63, p<0.001), followed closely by extremely short sleep (≤4 hours) (β=-1.85, 95% CI: -2.07~-1.62, p<0.001).

Conclusions:

This study reveals an inverted U-shaped relationship between sleep duration and glob cognitive decline, indicating that cognitive function should be closely monitored in individuals with both short and long sleep durations. Consequently, public health strategies should prioritize the promotion of moderate sleep to mitigate the cognitive risks associated with aging, particularly in culturally specific contexts.