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Sleep disorder is associated with any-domain intrinsic capacity impairment in community-dwelling older adults with chronic diseases

In a cross-sectional study of 1063 community-dwelling older adults with chronic diseases in Nanjing, China, sleep disorder was significantly associated with any-domain intrinsic capacity impairment (OR 2.94, 95% CI 2.12 to 4.07). The prevalence of any-domain intrinsic capacity impairment was 70.18%, with sensory impairment being the most common domain deficit.

Last updated: Aug 9, 2026•0 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score34/100
Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Intrinsic capacity impairment and modifiable associated factors among community-dwelling older adults with chronic diseases in China: a cross-sectional study.

observational

Weng Y, Wang D, Ma L, Wang P, Wang X, Zhang Y, Zhang P, Xu Y · BMJ open (2026)

Participants: 1063
Duration: Not applicable (cross-sectional)
Intervention: None (observational study); sleep disorder was assessed as a risk factor
Outcome: Any-domain intrinsic capacity impairment (impairment in at least one of five domains: locomotion, cognition, vitality, psychological capacity, sensory capacity)
Effect Size: OR 2.94, 95% CI 2.12 to 4.07
Population: Community-dwelling older adults aged 60 years or older with at least one physician-diagnosed chronic disease in urban communities in Nanjing, China

Result: In a cross-sectional study of 1063 community-dwelling older adults with chronic diseases in Nanjing, China, sleep disorder was significantly associated with any-domain intrinsic capacity impairment (OR 2.94, 95% CI 2.12 to 4.07). The prevalence of any-domain intrinsic capacity impairment was 70.18%, with sensory impairment being the most common domain deficit.

PubMed: 42556846DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2026-122642

Mechanism Graph

Sleep disorder may disrupt physiological restoration and hormonal balance
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Chronic sleep disturbance can lead to systemic inflammation and metabolic dysregulation
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These processes may accelerate decline in multiple intrinsic capacity domains
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Result: Increased likelihood of any-domain intrinsic capacity impairment

Limitations

  • ⚠Cross-sectional design precludes causal or temporal inference
  • ⚠Data were collected from selected urban communities in Nanjing, limiting generalizability to other regions or rural populations
  • ⚠Sleep disorder was likely self-reported, which may introduce recall bias

Frequently Asked Questions

What is intrinsic capacity impairment?▼

Intrinsic capacity impairment is defined as impairment in at least one of five domains: locomotion, cognition, vitality, psychological capacity, and sensory capacity. In this study, any-domain impairment was present in 70.18% of participants.

How strong is the association between sleep disorder and intrinsic capacity impairment?▼

Sleep disorder was associated with nearly three times higher odds of any-domain intrinsic capacity impairment (OR 2.94, 95% CI 2.12 to 4.07), after adjusting for other factors.

What other factors were associated with intrinsic capacity impairment?▼

Other associated factors included age older than 70 years, living alone, having two or more chronic diseases, lack of regular exercise, low eHealth literacy, and social frailty.

Can we conclude that sleep disorder causes intrinsic capacity impairment?▼

No, because this is a cross-sectional study, causal or temporal relationships cannot be inferred. The association may be bidirectional or due to confounding.

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References

  1. 1.Weng Y, Wang D, Ma L, Wang P, Wang X, Zhang Y, Zhang P, Xu Y. "Intrinsic capacity impairment and modifiable associated factors among community-dwelling older adults with chronic diseases in China: a cross-sectional study.." BMJ open, 2026. PMID: 42556846 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2026-122642
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.