Perceived sleep quality in edentulous elders

Poor sleep quality is common among elders. Anatomical changes associated with edentulism or sleeping without dentures are thought to negatively influence and disturb sleep.

Objectives: 1. To determine the sleep quality and daytime sleepiness of edentulous elders, independent of nocturnal denture wearing. 2. To examine if perceived sleep quality is associated with oral health related quality of life.

Methods: Data were collected at a one-year follow-up from 173 healthy edentulous elders (mean age 72.13±4.39) who had participated in an ongoing randomized controlled trial and randomly received new mandibular conventional dentures or implant retained overdentures. Subjective sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The global PSQI score ranges from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating poorer sleep quality. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) was used to measure the level of perceived daytime sleepiness, and scores ≥10 (range 0-24) indicated sleepiness. Oral health related quality of life was measured with The Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP). Explanatory variables for sleep quality included OHIP, socio-demographics and prosthesis type. Results were analysed using correlation, bivariate analyses and t-tests.

Results: Preliminary results demonstrated that the mean of the global PSQI and ESS score was 4.7±3.50 and 5.3±3.90, respectively. There was no difference in sleep quality or daytime sleepiness between those who wore their dentures at night and those who didn't (84%) (P >0.05). Elders with frequent denture problems were sleepier during the day (P=0.003, χ²). There was a significant, but low correlation between oral health related quality of life and self reported sleep quality (r=0.3, P=0.01).

Conclusion: These results suggest that healthy edentulous elders, independent of nocturnal wearing of their dentures, are good sleepers. However, they may sleep better if they have fewer problems with their dentures. Further investigation is needed to explore these findings.