Poor sleep quality and reduced cognitive function in persons with heart failure

The Association Between Self-reported Sleep Quality and Self-care in Adults With Heart Failure

BACKGROUND

Sleep disturbance is one of the most common symptoms among patients with heart failure (HF), and it may affect the ability of patients to perform self-care. There is a lack of evidence on the association between sleep quality and its components and self-care in adults with HF.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between sleep quality and its components and self-care in adults with HF.

METHODS

This study is a secondary analysis of baseline data from the MOTIVATE-HF study, a randomized controlled trial on patients with HF and their caregivers. Only patients' data were analyzed in this study (n = 498). Sleep quality and self-care were evaluated with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Self-Care of Heart Failure Index v6.2, respectively.

RESULTS

A habitual sleep efficiency of 75% to 84% was associated with lower self-care maintenance compared with a habitual sleep efficiency of 85% or greater ( P = .031), as was taking sleep medications once or twice a week compared with less than once a week ( P = .001). A frequency of daytime dysfunction less than once a week was associated with lower self-care management compared with a frequency of daytime dysfunction of 3 or more times a week ( P = .025). Taking sleep medications less than once a week was associated with lower self-care confidence compared with taking sleep medications 3 or more times a week ( P = .018).

CONCLUSION

Poor sleep quality is frequently reported by patients with HF. Sleep efficiency, sleep medications, and daytime dysfunction may influence self-care more than the other sleep quality components.

Components of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index in Iranian adult population: an item response theory model

Objective/background

There have been conducted few studies in Iran on the quality of sleep in the general population. This study aimed to use the item response theory (IRT) model to examine the accuracy of the seven components of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and to provide an appropriate cut-off point for population-based studies.

Methods

This study was performed using the data of the second phase of the Shahroud Eye Cohort Study (ShECS) in 2014. The sleep quality of 4710 participants was measured through PSQI. Using an IRT model, the seven components of the index are considered as indicators and sleep quality as the latent variable in the measurement model. This model supposed that there is only one hidden component to explain the respondent's behavior to a number of items.

Results

Results of analyzing different components of PSQI showed that component 6 (using sleep medication) and 7 (daytime dysfunction disorder) had the lowest values of discrimination parameter and component 4 (habitual sleep efficiency) and 1 (sleep quality) had the highest value of discrimination parameter. Persons with an expected sleep quality score of less than or equal to 6.5 will be defined as good sleep quality pattern.

Conclusions

Since discrimination values for components 6 and 7 are less than the values for other components, the use of the standardized latent scores is emphasized for assessing the quality of sleep in the population.

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For seven components of PSQI, difficulty and discrimination parameters were estimated using IRT.

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Using an IRT model persons with an expected sleep quality score ≤ 6.5 will be defined as good sleep quality pattern.

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Almost 42.9% and 0.2% had poor and very poor sleep quality.

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Sleep quality, and habitual sleep efficiency components had the highest value of discrimination parameter.

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Component 6 and 7 play the lowest role in assessing sleep quality in the general population.

Management of Hypnotics in Patients with Insomnia and Heart Failure during Hospitalization: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Heart failure is a chronic, progressive syndrome of signs and symptoms, which has been associated to a range of comorbidities including insomnia. Acute decompensation of heart failure frequently leads to hospital admission. During hospital admission, long-term pharmacological treatments such as hypnotics can be modified or stopped.

AIM

To synthesize the scientific evidence available about the effect of withdrawing hypnotic drugs during hospital admission in patients with decompensated heart failure and insomnia.

METHOD

A systematic review of the literature following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines was carried out in the following scientific databases: PubMed, Scopus, Dialnet and Cochrane.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

studies including a population of adults with heart failure and sleep disorders in treatment with hypnotics and admitted to hospital, studies written in English or Spanish and published until June 2020.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

studies involving children, patients admitted to intensive care and patients diagnosed with sleep apnea.

RESULTS

We identified a total of 265 documents; only nine papers met the selection criteria. The most frequently used drugs for the treatment of insomnia in patients with heart failure were benzodiazepines and benzodiazepine agonists; their secondary effects can alter perceived quality of life and increase the risk of adverse effects. Withdrawal of these drugs during hospital admission could increase the risk of delirium. Future research in this area should evaluate the management of hypnotics during hospital admission in patients with decompensated heart failure. In addition, safe and efficient non-pharmacological alternatives for the treatment of insomnia in this population should be tested and implemented.

Perceived Stress, Subjective, and Objective Symptoms of Disturbed Sleep in Men and Women with Stable Heart Failure

Objective/Background: Sleep disturbance is prevalent among patients with heart failure (HF) and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Stress also affects health and quality of life among patients with cardiovascular disease and likely plays a prominent role in HF. However, little is known about the associations between stress and sleep among HF patients.Participants: One hundred fifty-three stable New York Heart Association (NYHA) Classification I-IV HF patients with at least low symptoms of insomnia (M_age:63.0 ± 12.8, 42% Women).Methods: We examined baseline stress, sleep disturbance, and sleep-related characteristics from a randomized controlled trial of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, including the Perceived Stress Scale, Insomnia Severity Index, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Sleep Disturbance Questionnaire, Dysfunctional Beliefs about Sleep Scale, PROMIS Cognitive Ability, SF-36 Mental Health, and wrist actigraphy. We used Pearson correlations and general linear models to assess stress-sleep associations, including the potential moderating effects of sex and symptom severity (NYHA).Results: There were moderate-to-large correlations between stress and self-reported sleep disturbance, dysfunctional beliefs about sleep, cognitive ability, and mental health (p's < 0.01). High stress was associated with more objectively-measured (i.e., actigraph-assessed) awakenings and sleep fragmentation among women than men (β = - 0.04, p < 0.01; β = - 0.71, p = 0.04). Relationships between stress and objectively-measured sleep did not vary by symptom severity.Conclusions: Perceived stress is related to sleep disturbance among HF patients, and effects may be sex-dependent. Subsequent research should determine the temporal links between sleep and stress, and optimal opportunities for intervention among HF patients.

Sleep Quality in Patients with Heart Failure in the Spanish Population: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Heart failure is a major problem in western societies. Sleep Disorders maintain a bidirectional relationship with heart failure, as shown by studies conducted in other countries. This study aims to describe the quality of sleep in Spanish patients with heart failure. Materials and methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study to analyze the quality of sleep in a sample of 203 patients with a diagnosis of heart failure admitted to an Internal Medicine Service. The Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to evaluate sleep quality in our sample over a one-month period. Results: 75% of the sample presented sleep disorders. The most common problems included the interruption of sleep (73.5% nocturia and 30% breathing difficulties); 35% had poor sleep efficiency; 33% showed a decrease in daytime performance; 84% had used hypnotics at some point to induce sleep and 35% used them regularly. Conclusions: This is the first study to report on the perceived sleep quality of patients with heart failure in Spain. Self-perception of sleep quality differed from that estimated by the PSQI. The prevalence of the use of sleep-inducing medication was very high. The diurnal dysfunction generated by sleep disorders in a heart failure environment can contribute to the development of self-care and cognitive deterioration problems.

Association between sleep quality and self-care in adults with heart failure: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Sleep disturbance is one of the most common symptoms among heart failure patients. Sleep disturbance reduces quality of life and leads to higher rates of mortality. It may affect the ability of patients to perform adequate self-care. Although some research has evaluated the association between sleep quality and heart failure self-care, a synthesis of the most recent available evidence is lacking.

AIMS

This systematic review aimed to assess the association between sleep quality and self-care in adults with heart failure.

METHODS

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses methodology was used. Medline, CINAHL, PsycINFO and SCOPUS were searched. Observational, case-control and cohort studies were considered. The quality of the studies was evaluated with the Joanna Briggs Institute's Critical Appraisal Tools.

RESULTS

Six articles were included. Association between sleep quality and self-care was reported by three studies. One of these did not find an association between sleep disturbance and heart failure self-care, while the other two studies did. An association between sleep quality and medication adherence was reported by three studies. All three of these studies found associations between these two variables. Studies have measured similar but different constructs. Two studies assessed sleep quality, while four other studies measured excessive daytime sleepiness. Half of the studies examined self-care, while the other half measured medication adherence.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the evidence should be strengthened, sleep quality seems to affect self-care in heart failure patients. The mechanism underlying the effect of sleep quality on heart failure self-care remains unclear. Future longitudinal interaction analyses could be useful to clarify this mechanism.

Relationship between sleep and cognitive function in patients with heart failure: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this systematic review is to synthesize relevant evidence and illustrate the relationship between sleep and cognitive function in patients with heart failure.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted on Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsychINFO, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wan Fang to identify relevant studies.

RESULTS

Seven studies, which enrolled a total of 1218 heart failure patients, were included in this review. These articles investigating the relationship between sleep and cognitive performance in patients with heart failure had inconsistent results. Five studies confirmed that sleep quality and insomnia were significantly associated with cognitive function, including global cognition, attention, and executive function, whereas the other two studies indicated no statistically significant relationship between sleep and cognitive function.

CONCLUSION

Although limited evidence restricts the overall conclusions, this review might provide new opportunities to identify patients with heart failure that are at high risk for cognitive decline. Further studies across a longer period are needed to confirm the relationship between sleep and cognitive function in patients with heart failure.

Sleep quality among adult patients with chronic dermatoses

Chronic dermatoses, including atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, prurigo nodularis, chronic spontaneous urticaria and hidradenitis suppurativa, as well as accompanying subjective symptoms (itch and pain), have a great impact on patients’ well-being. Skin plays an important role in the physiological sleep process. This review attempts to analyze the association between chronic dermatoses in adults and sleep quality in recent studies. Polysomnography and actigraphy are performed for the objective assessment of sleep quality. Questionnaire-based subjective evaluations of sleep quality, including the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Medical Outcomes Study Sleep Scale, are useful in clinical studies and clinical practice. Subjective symptoms such as itch and pain have an essential influence on sleep quality and general quality of life in patients with chronic skin diseases.

Sleep quality and daytime sleepiness are not associated with cognition in heart failure

BACKGROUND

Individuals with heart failure (HF) exhibit comorbid impairments in both sleep and cognitive performance. Sleep quality has been associated with impaired cognitive performance in HF patients, but reports are inconsistent. In this study, we examined associations between sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and cognitive function in HF.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Participants were 267 (age = 69.1 ± 9.3) mostly Caucasian (74.9%), male (59.6%) stable HF patients recruited from outpatient settings. This cross-sectional study was a secondary analysis of a prospective observational study. Cognitive function domains assessed included: global cognitive function, attention, memory, and executive function. Sleep quality and daytime sleepiness were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), respectively. Separate multiple hierarchical linear regressions were conducted to determine associations between cognitive function and sleep quality and daytime sleepiness, after controlling for sex, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, education, depressive symptoms, and medical comorbidities. Cognitive function was not associated with sleep quality or daytime sleepiness after alpha inflation corrections were applied.

CONCLUSIONS

Cognitive function in HF is not associated with sleep quality or daytime sleepiness; other factors may exert greater influence on cognitive performance.

Phosphodiesterase 1: A Unique Drug Target for Degenerative Diseases and Cognitive Dysfunction

The focus of this chapter is on the cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase 1 (PDE1) family. PDE1 is one member of the 11 PDE families (PDE 1-11). It is the only phosphodiesterase family that is calcium/calmodulin activated. As a result, whereas other families of PDEs 2-11 play a dominant role controlling basal levels of cyclic nucleotides, PDE1 is involved when intra-cellular calcium levels are elevated and, thus, has an "on demand" or activity-dependent involvement in the control of cyclic nucleotides in excitatory cells including neurons, cardiomyocytes and smooth muscle. As a Class 1 phosphodiesterase, PDE1 hydrolyzes the 3' bond of 3'-5'-cyclic nucleotides, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). Here, we review evidence for this family of enzymes as drug targets for development of therapies aimed to address disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) and of degenerative diseases. The chapter includes sections on the potential for cognitive enhancement in mental disorders, as well as a review of PDE1 enzyme structure, enzymology, tissue distribution, genomics, inhibitors, pharmacology, clinical trials, and therapeutic indications. Information is taken from public databases. A number of excellent reviews of the phosphodiesterase family have been written as well as reviews of the PDE1 family. References cited here are not comprehensive, rather pointing to major reviews and key publications.

Associations of Subjective Sleep Quality and Daytime Sleepiness With Cognitive Impairment in Adults and Elders With Heart Failure

This study examined the association of subjective nighttime sleep quality and daytime sleepiness with cognitive impairment in 105 adults (< 60 years old) and 167 elders (≥ 60 years old) with heart failure. Nighttime sleep quality and daytime sleepiness were measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Cognitive impairment was assessed using a neuropsychological battery measuring attention, memory, and processing speed. Multivariate logistic regression was used. In adults, daytime sleepiness was associated with cognitive impairment, whereas poor nighttime sleep quality was associated with cognitive impairment in elders. Age may play an important role in how sleep impacts cognition in persons with heart failure. Improving nighttime sleep quality and daytime sleepiness in this population may improve cognition.

The Role of Heart Failure, Daytime Sleepiness, and Disturbed Sleep on Cognition

Disturbed sleep and daytime sleepiness may interfere with possible direct relationships between heart failure (HF) and cognition, yet there is limited research investigating this relationship. We aimed to investigate possible mediating roles of disturbed sleep and daytime sleepiness on the relationship between HF and selected cognitive domains among individuals with and without HF. In a cross-sectional design study, we examined the data of 841 older adults with and without HF from the Aging, Demographics, and Memory Study (ADAMS). We found individuals with HF were likely to have a higher degree of disturbed sleep and daytime sleepiness. Both disturbed sleep and daytime sleepiness were significant predictors of cognition. We found that only daytime sleepiness mediated the relationship between the presence of HF and cognitive domains, such as in attention, memory, and executive function after controlling for covariates. Interventions to improve daytime sleepiness among individuals with HF may also help improving cognition.

Sleep quality disturbances and cognitive functioning in elderly patients with COPD

Information about the association between cognitive functions, such as copying function, and sleep disturbances in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is lacking. This cross-sectional observational study aimed to investigate the association between copying function and self-reported sleep quality disturbances and disease severity in an elderly COPD population.

Cognitive function performances, assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination, were compared in 562 ambulatory COPD patients with and without sleep disturbances; assessed using the Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly questionnaire; and stratified by Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) grades.

Sleep disturbances overall were not correlated with cognitive functioning. A trend was revealed towards worse design copying in patients with sleep disturbances overall. GOLD I patients with difficulties falling asleep and nocturnal awakenings had worse copying ability compared to GOLD I patients without these sleep disturbances. Copying ability was worse for GOLD III than GOLD I, orientation was worse for GOLD II than GOLD I and language was worse for GOLD II and III than GOLD I.

To conclude, sleep disturbances seem to be a weak correlate of cognitive functioning, and are not a marker of disease severity.

Sleep disturbances are a weak correlate of cognitive functioning in COPDhttp://ow.ly/gUhD301PvcQ

Rest-Activity Patterns in Older Adults with Heart Failure and Healthy Older Adults

The purpose of this investigation is to examine differences in rest-activity patterns and sleep characteristics in older adults with heart failure (HF) and healthy older adults. The sample included older adults with HF (n = 20) and a reference group of healthy older adults (n = 20). Traditional cosinor analysis was used to assess three parameters of rest-activity from wrist actigraphy data: amplitude (range of activity), mesor (mean activity), and acrophase (time of peak activity). Traditional sleep characteristics were also determined from actigraphy data: total sleep time (TST), sleep latency (SL), sleep efficiency (SE), and wake after sleep onset (WASO). The HF group demonstrated significantly lower mesor and amplitude than the reference group (p < .01). The HF group had significantly greater TST (p < .01), but the groups had similar SE, SL, and WASO. Despite similar sleep characteristics to healthy older adults, overall rest-activity patterns were significantly dampened in those with HF.

Sleep quality in the general population: psychometric properties of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, derived from a German community sample of 9284 people

BACKGROUND

The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) is frequently used to assess sleep problems in patients. The aim of this study was to provide reference values for this questionnaire, to test psychometric properties, and to analyze associations with psychological, sociodemographic, and behavioral factors.

METHODS

A German community sample comprising 9284 adult residents (aged 18-80 years) was surveyed using the PSQI and several other questionnaires.

RESULTS

According to the generally accepted cut-off (PSQI > 5), 36% of the general population slept badly. Females reported significantly more sleep problems than males (mean scores: M = 5.5 vs. M = 4.4, respectively; effect size d = 0.35), but there was no linear association between age and sleep quality. Sleep problems were correlated with fatigue, quality of life (physical as well as mental), physical complaints, anxiety, and lack of optimism. Sleep quality was also strongly associated with socioeconomic status, professional situation (poorest sleep quality in unemployed people), and obesity. In addition to the results of the PSQI total score, mean scores of specific components of sleep quality were presented (sleep latency, sleep duration, and use of sleep medication).

CONCLUSION

The PSQI proved to be a suitable instrument for measuring sleep quality. Gender differences, psychological factors, and obesity should be taken into account when groups of patients are compared with respect to sleep problems.

Sleep, Fatigue, and Problems With Cognitive Function in Adults Living With HIV

Up to 50% of people living with HIV have some neurocognitive impairment. We examined associations of sleep and fatigue with self-reported cognitive problems in 268 adults living with HIV. Multivariate regression was used to examine associations between cognitive problems, self-reported sleep quality, actigraphy-measured total sleep time and wake after sleep onset, and fatigue severity. Poorer self-reported sleep quality (p < .001), short or long total sleep time (<7 or >8 vs. 7-8 hours, p = .015), and greater fatigue (p < .001) were associated with lower self-reported cognitive function scores after controlling for demographic and clinical characteristics. However, objective measure of wake after sleep onset was unrelated to self-reported cognitive function scores. Findings suggest that assessing and treating poor sleep and complaints about fatigue would be areas for intervention that could have a greater impact on improving cognition function than interventions that target only cognitive problems.

Is sleep quality related to cognition in individuals with heart failure?

OBJECTIVE

To examine how self-reported sleep quality and daytime symptoms are associated with selected domains of cognitive function among individuals with heart failure (HF).

BACKGROUND

HF patients suffer from poor sleep quality and cognitive decline. The relationship between sleep and cognition has not been well documented among individuals with HF.

METHODS

In this descriptive, cross-sectional study, 68 individuals with HF (male: 63%, mean age = 72 years, SD = 11) completed sleep questionnaires and a neuropsychological battery.

RESULTS

Participant had mean Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score of 5.04 (SD = 2.8). Regression analyses demonstrated neither sleep quality or excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) were related to cognitive function, but daytime dysfunction was related to lower letter fluency and attention index.

CONCLUSION

Contrary to some earlier reports, subjective sleep and EDS in this group of individuals was not associated with cognitive decline.

Sleep duration and age-related changes in brain structure and cognitive performance

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To investigate the contribution of sleep duration and quality to age-related changes in brain structure and cognitive performance in relatively healthy older adults.

DESIGN

Community-based longitudinal brain and cognitive aging study using a convenience sample.

SETTING

Participants were studied in a research laboratory.

PARTICIPANTS

Relatively healthy adults aged 55 y and older at study commencement.

INTERVENTIONS

N/A.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

Participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging and neuropsychological assessment every 2 y. Subjective assessments of sleep duration and quality and blood samples were obtained. Each hour of reduced sleep duration at baseline augmented the annual expansion rate of the ventricles by 0.59% (P = 0.007) and the annual decline rate in global cognitive performance by 0.67% (P = 0.050) in the subsequent 2 y after controlling for the effects of age, sex, education, and body mass index. In contrast, global sleep quality at baseline did not modulate either brain or cognitive aging. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein, a marker of systemic inflammation, showed no correlation with baseline sleep duration, brain structure, or cognitive performance.

CONCLUSIONS

In healthy older adults, short sleep duration is associated with greater age-related brain atrophy and cognitive decline. These associations are not associated with elevated inflammatory responses among short sleepers.

CITATION

Lo JC, Loh KK, Zheng H, Sim SK, Chee MW. Sleep duration and age-related changes in brain structure and cognitive performance.

Reduced cerebral blood flow and white matter hyperintensities predict poor sleep in heart failure

BACKGROUND

Poor sleep is common in heart failure (HF), though mechanisms of sleep difficulties are not well understood. Adverse brain changes among regions important for sleep have been demonstrated in patients with HF. Cerebral hypoperfusion, a correlate of sleep quality, is also prevalent in HF and a likely contributor to white matter hyperintensities (WMH). However, no study to date has examined the effects of cerebral blood flow, WMH, and brain volume on sleep quality in HF.

METHODS

Fifty-three HF patients completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging to quantify brain and WMH volume. Transcranial Doppler ultrasonography assessed cerebral blood flow velocity of the middle cerebral artery (CBF-V of the MCA).

RESULTS

75.5% of HF patients reported impaired sleep. Regression analyses adjusting for medical and demographic factors showed decreased CBF-V of the MCA and greater WMH volume were associated with poor sleep quality. No such pattern emerged on total brain or regional volume indices.

CONCLUSIONS

Decreased cerebral perfusion and greater WMH may contribute to sleep difficulties in HF. Future studies are needed to confirm these findings and clarify the effects of cerebral blood flow and WMH on sleep in healthy and patient samples.

Association between sleep-disordered breathing, sleep-wake pattern, and cognitive impairment among patients with chronic heart failure

AIMS

Chronic heart failure (CHF) and sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) are often co-existing problems among the elderly. Apnoeic events may cause cognitive impairment. The aim of the study was to compare sleep and wake patterns, insomnia, daytime sleepiness, and cognitive function in community-dwelling CHF patients, with and without SDB, and to investigate the association between sleep-related factors and cognitive dysfunction.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this cross-sectional observational study, SDB was measured with an ApneaLink device and defined as an apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) ≥15/h of sleep. Sleep and wake patterns were measured with actigraphy for 1 week. Insomnia was measured with the Minimal Insomnia Symptom Scale, daytime sleepiness with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and cognitive function with a neuropsychological test battery. A total of 137 patients (68% male, median age 72 years, 58% NYHA functional class II) were consecutively included. Forty-four per cent had SDB (AHI ≥15). The SDB group had significantly higher saturation time below 90%, more difficulties maintaining sleep, and lower levels of daytime sleepiness compared with the non-SDB group. Cognitive function and sleep and wake patterns did not differ between the SDB and the non-SDB group. Insomnia was associated with decreased global cognition.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of cognitive dysfunction was low in this population with predominantly mild to moderate CHF. This might have influenced the lack of associations between cognitive function and SDB. Insomnia was the only sleep-related factor significantly influencing cognition.