Cohabitating and non-cohabitating caregivers of people with dementia have significantly poorer sleep quality compared to non-dementia caregivers.
This nationwide cross-sectional study of 230,900 adults from the 2024 Korean Community Health Survey found that both cohabitating caregivers (OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.13-1.20) and non-cohabitating caregivers (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.04-1.20) of people with dementia had significantly higher odds of poor sleep quality (PSQI ≥ 6) compared to non-dementia caregivers. The association was stronger for cohabitating caregivers, with the largest effects on sleep medication use (OR 1.61) and daytime dysfunction (OR 1.41).
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Cohabitating and non-cohabitating caregivers of people with dementia have significantly poorer sleep quality compared to non-dementia caregivers. The current body of evidence comprises 1 study. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 34/100 (low).
The Claim
Cohabitating and non-cohabitating caregivers of people with dementia have significantly poorer sleep quality compared to non-dementia caregivers.
This conclusion is most relevant to: 230,900 adults from the 2024 Korean Community Health Survey, including 3,709 cohabitating caregivers of people with dementia, 21,080 non-cohabitating caregivers, and 206,111 non-dementia caregivers.
What the Research Shows
The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:
- ▸Association between caregivers of dementia and sleep quality : A nationwide population-based study. (Sleep & breathing = Schlaf & Atmung, 2026) —
How It Works
The proposed biological pathway:
- ▸Caregiving for a person with dementia increases psychosocial stress and depression (PHQ-9 scores were significantly higher in both caregiver groups)
- ▸Chronic stress and depression disrupt sleep-regulating neuroendocrine pathways (e.g., HPA axis activation)
- ▸Cohabitating caregivers face additional nighttime disruptions and care demands, further impairing sleep continuity and efficiency
- ▸Result: Higher prevalence of poor sleep quality, particularly increased sleep medication use and daytime dysfunction
Who Might Benefit
Evidence fit by population:
- ▸230,900 adults from the 2024 Korean Community Health Survey, including 3,709 cohabitating caregivers of people with dementia, 21,080 non-cohabitating caregivers, and 206,111 non-dementia caregivers
Recommended Dose
N/A
Limitations & Caveats
Important context when interpreting this evidence:
- ▸Cross-sectional design prevents establishing causality between caregiving status and sleep quality
- ▸Reliance on self-reported PSQI and PHQ-9 may introduce recall bias and social desirability bias
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PSQI cutoff used to define poor sleep quality in this study?▼
The study used a PSQI score of ≥ 6 to define poor sleep quality.
Did non-cohabitating caregivers also have worse sleep than non-dementia caregivers?▼
Yes, non-cohabitating caregivers had significantly higher odds of poor sleep quality (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.04-1.20) compared to non-dementia caregivers, though the effect was slightly smaller than for cohabitating caregivers.
Which PSQI subcomponent showed the strongest association with cohabitating caregiving?▼
Sleep medication use had the strongest association (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.44-1.80), followed by daytime dysfunction (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.32-1.51).
What psychosocial factors were measured in the caregivers?▼
The study assessed stress and depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and both caregiver groups had significantly poorer scores on these measures compared to non-dementia caregivers.
References
- 1.Lee S, Chung JH. “Association between caregivers of dementia and sleep quality : A nationwide population-based study..” Sleep & breathing = Schlaf & Atmung, 2026. PMID: 42474817 DOI: 10.1007/s11325-026-03764-2