Abstract
Background: Poor sleep quality has been related to an increased risk of fall and bone fracture among elders. Sleep questionnaires and physical performance tests might help to understand the mechanisms of fractures in the population.
Objective: To assess the relation between poor sleep quality and physical performance tests as a major predictor of risk of falls and subsequent fractures in elders.
Methods: A total of 94 participants (30 male and 64 female) were included. Participants were allocated into two groups based on their sleep quality: normal sleep quality (NSQ, n=50 [21 male and 29 female]) and poor sleep quality (PSQ, n=44 [9 male and 35 female]). Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry was used to assess anthropometric and bone characteristics. Handgrip strength and gait speed were also measured in all the participants.
Results: In the NSQ group an association between bone density and handgrip strength was found. On the other hand, patients in the PSQ group presented correlation between handgrip strength and lumbar bone mineral density and appendicular skeletal mass. No differences between genders were observed.
Conclusion: Poor sleep quality impaired physical performance tests, negatively affecting lean mass and bone mineral density. These conditions may increase the risk of falls and consequently the risk of fractures in elders with independence of their gender.
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