SLEEP QUALITY AND DURATION AND RISK OF FALLS IN OLDER ADULT WOMEN: THE STUDY OF WOMEN’S HEALTH ACROSS THE NATION (SWAN)
2024

Sleep Quality and Duration Affect Fall Risk in Older Women

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Baker Jillian, Hood Michelle, Swanson Leslie, Kline Christopher, Ylitalo Kelly, Cauley Jane, Green Dr Robin, Karvonen-Gutierrez Carrie

Primary Institution: University of Michigan

Hypothesis

Poorer sleep quality and shorter sleep duration would be associated with increased risk of falls and a greater number of falls.

Conclusion

Poor sleep indicators are linked to a higher risk of falls in older adult women.

Supporting Evidence

  • Women with trouble falling asleep had a 27% increased risk of falls.
  • Frequent waking at night was associated with a 24% increased risk of falls.
  • Short sleep duration was linked to a higher likelihood of recurrent falls.

Takeaway

If older women don't sleep well or don't sleep enough, they might fall down more often.

Methodology

Participants self-reported sleep quality and duration, and falls were reported in a follow-up.

Participant Demographics

Multi-ethnic older adult women.

Statistical Information

Confidence Interval

95% CI=1.01,1.62; 95% CI=1.01,1.48; 95% CI=1.30,4.96; 95% CI=1.07,3.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.0360

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