title: Prevalence and correlates of sleep problems among elderly Singaporeans.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The current study examined the prevalence and correlates of sleep problems among elderly Singaporeans.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were taken from the Well-being of Singapore Elderly study, a cross-sectional, epidemiological survey conducted among Singapore residents aged 60 years and above (n = 2565). Respondents were screened for sleep problems through a series of questions in the Geriatric Mental State examination. Details on sociodemographic characteristics, physical activity, cognition, disability, chronic physical conditions, and depression were also collected. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore significant associations between sleep problems, sociodemographic characteristics, physical activity, cognition, disability, chronic physical conditions, and depression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 13.7% (n = 341) of older adults reported at least one sleep problem. Of those who reported sleep problems, 69.4% experienced sleep interruption at night, 48.9% reported having difficulty falling asleep, 22.3% reported early morning awakening, and 11.4% had all three problems. Elderly with sleep problems were significantly more likely to have a range of chronic physical conditions and depression and were also significantly less likely to be physically active. Older adults with at least one sleep problem reported significantly greater disability compared to those with no sleep problems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The high probability of comorbid chronic conditions as well as higher disability among those with sleep problems makes this an important area of research.
authors.affiliation: Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Vathsala
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sagayadevan
authors.affiliation: Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Edimansyah
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Abdin
authors.affiliation: Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Saleha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Binte Shafie
authors.affiliation: Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Anitha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jeyagurunathan
authors.affiliation: Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Rajeswari
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sambasivam
authors.affiliation: Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Yunjue
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Louisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Picco
authors.affiliation: Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Janhavi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vaingankar
authors.affiliation: Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Siow A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Chong
authors.affiliation: Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Mythily
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Subramaniam
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044466:Asian People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: 
  Asia; elderly; mental health; physical health; sleep difficulties