Association of Sleep Duration with Physical Performance in Hemodialysis Patients: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study

Hemodialysis (HD) patients have decreased physical function. Getting enough sleep is important for maintaining physical function. However, the relationship between sleep duration and physical performance in HD patients is unclear.

We conducted a multicenter cross-sectional study at seven HD centers in Shanghai and Suzhou, China. 880 HD patients were enrolled between July 2020 and April 2021. Clinical Characteristics, laboratory indicator, sleep assessment data were collected. Physical performance included balance function, muscle strength, and mobility, which were measured by timed up and go test (TUGT), handgrip, and 4-m walk test, respectively. We divided sleep duration into four groups <7 h, 7-8 h, >8-9 h, ≥9 h.

A total of 840 patients had completed data (men 525, women 315, mean age 61.24 years). TUGT in group <7 h and ≥9 h was higher than mid-range sleep duration. Handgrip strength in group ≥9 h was lower than group <7 h and 7-8 h. Gait speed in group <7 h and ≥9 h was lower than group 7-8 h. Adjusting for the covariates, short and long sleep duration were associated with slower gait speed.

HD patients with abnormal sleep duration had poorer physical performance. Short and long sleep duration were significantly associated with gait speed.