Association between sleep difficulties, bodily symptoms, and subjective cognitive decline in urban Black men
Darlingtina K Esiaka, Candidus Nwakasi- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
- Geriatrics and Gerontology
- Neurology (clinical)
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Health Policy
- Epidemiology
Abstract
Background
Sleep has been linked to subjective cognitive decline (SCD) in older adults, which may indicate an onset of cognitive decline to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia. There is a dearth of studies on the role of sleep difficulties and bodily symptoms in influencing cognitive status of middle‐age and older Black men. This limits our understanding of the potential role of sleep and bodily symptoms on Black men’s brain health.
Method
This cross‐sectional study examined factors predicting subjective cognitive decline in Black men living in urban settings. Participants (N = 117, Mage = 48.45) responded to a survey assessing sleep difficulties, sleep comorbidities, bodily symptoms, self‐rated health, sociodemographic characteristics, and subjective cognitive decline. SCD was operationalized as a self‐reported experience with increasing confusion or memory loss in the last 12 months.
Result
Hierarchical regression revealed that in Model 1 with sociodemographic characteristics, only education was a significant predictor of SCD (F (4,112) = 6.33, p<.05), accounting for 18% of the variation in SCD. In Model 2 with self‐rated health and bodily symptoms added, socioeconomic status, education, and bodily symptoms were significant predictors of SCD (F (6,110) = 11.82, p<.001) and explained an additional 39% of the variation in SCD. When sleep difficulties and sleep comorbidities were added to Model 3, sleep difficulties, sleep comorbidities, bodily symptoms, socioeconomic status, and education were significant predictors of SCD (F (8,108) = 13.79, p<.001), accounting for 50% of the variation in SCD.
Conclusion
Our findings may be used as a groundwork for future research examining the causal link between cognitive decline, sleep, and bodily functions. It can also inform health intervention programs for middle‐aged and older Black American men.