Sleep-Disordered Breathing Raises Risk for Cognitive Decline in Older Women

Cross-sectional studies show a relation between sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and cognitive impairment. To assess whether a causal association exists, researchers recruited 298 women (mean age, 82) with normal cognitive function (assessed with validated instruments) from a multisite prospective cohort study of osteoporotic fractures. Baseline polysomnography identified 105 women with SDB (defined as ≥15 apnea or hypopnea events/hour).

During a median follow-up of 4.7 years, 45% of women with SDB versus 31% of women without SDB developed mild cognitive impairment or dementia. In analyses adjusted for 10 demographic and clinical variables, risk for developing mild cognitive impairment or dementia was 85% higher in women with SDB than in tho…