Frequency of Poor Sleep Quality and Related Factors in Geriatric Patients

Abstract

Objective: Sleep is a necessary and indispensable activity of human life, and it is a physiological need as crucial as eating, drinking, breathing and excretion. This study aims to investigate the frequency of poor sleep quality and related factors in patients admitted to a geriatric outpatient clinic. Materials and Methods: The study was performed by a retrospective file scanning method. It included 100 random geriatric patients who applied to the geriatric outpatient clinic. The data were collected using the ‘‘comprehensive geriatric assessment form’’ and the ‘‘Pittsburgh Sleep Quality scale’’ and evaluated using SPSS version 22.0. Results: Poor sleep quality was detected in 60% of patients. Geriatric patients with poor sleep quality had increased frequency in obesity and polypharmacy, increased Geriatric Depression scale scores, lower handgrip strength and decreased walking speed that were statistically significant (p<0.005). Conclusion: We have shown that at least half of geriatric patients might have poor sleep quality associated with multiple clinical conditions. Sleep disorders are important health problems affecting the geriatric individuals’ quality of life and well-being. Asking pertinent questions to treat poor sleep quality effectively is recommended to increase this population’s quality of life and well-being.