The aim of this research is to estimate the prevalence of excessive daytime sleepiness in an older population and associations with sociodemographic, health, and lifestyle factors using a cross-sectional, population-based study. Participants were men (1560) and women (1759), aged 55 to 85 years, enrolled in the Hunter Community Study, a longitudinal study of aging. Measurements were self-reported questionnaires, biochemical measures, and clinical measures. Of the 3319 participants, 3053 participants completed the Epworth Sleepiness Scale questionnaire. The prevalence of excessive daytime sleepiness was 15.3% overall and this was higher in males. In adjusted multivariate analysis, gender, working full time, body mass index, high-density and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale score, and Kessler psychological distress score were associated with excessive daytime sleepiness. Given the high prevalence of excessive daytime sleepiness observed in this study, further investigation and/or interventions to reduce adverse health outcomes, especially in males is warranted.
Keywords: Hunter Community Study; aged care; epidemiology; excessive daytime sleepiness; sleep.
© 2013 APJPH.