How common are sleep disorders in people with dementia? British researchers analyzed eleven studies conducted on four continents. This increased the transferability of the results to other regions of the world.
Difficulties falling asleep or staying asleep, not getting enough sleep, or waking up during the night: If people with dementia have sleep disorders, there can be many reasons for this. These include, for example, environmental factors such as light and noise pollution, lack of exercise during the day, or taking medication. The consequences of sleep disorders are diverse. For instance, restlessness, irritability, or less social engagement can affect cognitive performance..
11 studies evaluated
But how common are sleep disorders in people with dementia? British researchers evaluated eleven studies conducted on four continents. Overall, 48 percent of the study participants came from low- and middle-income countries, where approximately 60 percent of people with dementia live. The remaining participants lived in high-income countries.
The researchers concluded that an estimated 26 percent of affected individuals have difficulty sleeping in their own homes. However, people with dementia living at home sleep better than those in nursing homes. The authors cite noise levels and a lack of privacy as contributing factors that can be intensified by living in a nursing home.
Important knowledge for doctors
People with Lewy body dementia are particularly often affected by sleep disorders, at 49 percent, while these occur less frequently in Alzheimer's patients (24 percent). Therefore, according to the authors, it is important for doctors „to be aware of the increased risks for different groups.“ The prevalence of sleep disorders in other types of dementia could not be investigated due to a lack of studies.
In their study, the female researchers point out that poor sleep in people with dementia can also impair the physical and mental health of the caregivers and family members.
Prevalence of sleep disorders
The analyzed studies were published between 2002 and 2018. Over this comparatively long period, the researchers observed another interesting development. The prevalence of sleep disorders has not changed over the years. „This suggests that any advances in the treatment of sleep disorders have not translated into improvements for people with dementia,“ the scientists said.
Further research questions
Studies by other researchers have already found that insomnia can increase the risk of dementia. From the perspective of the British scientists, it is therefore worthwhile to investigate how sleep affects the cognition of people with dementia and whether better sleep can stabilize or even slow down mental decline.
Tip for practice: Pay attention to signs of sleep disorders, optimize the sleep environment if possible, and structure the daily routines of affected individuals to improve the sleep quality of people with dementia.
Here is the link to the study:
