Association between vitamin D level and sleep quality in the elderly population: a prospective cohort study

Vitamin D is essential not only for skeletal health but also for regulating sleep. Recent studies suggest a link between vitamin D deficiency and poor sleep quality, including lower sleep efficiency and shorter sleep duration. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between sleep quality and serum vitamin D levels in healthy elderly individuals.

This study examined the association between serum vitamin D levels and sleep quality in individuals aged 60 years and above residing in Taipei's Health & Culture Village and Active Aging Center. A total of 465 participants were enrolled, with those exhibiting specific organ abnormalities or dysfunctions excluded. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and vitamin D levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The relationships between vitamin D levels and PSQI scores were analyzed, with a focus on the daytime dysfunction component of the PSQI.

Among the seven domains of the PSQI, the daytime dysfunction domain had the strongest statistical association with serum vitamin D levels (p = 0.044). Participants without daytime dysfunction had significantly higher vitamin D levels than did those with daytime dysfunction (p = 0.04). No significant associations were detected between vitamin D levels and other factors, such as sex or age.

Higher serum vitamin D levels are associated with better sleep quality in elderly individuals, particularly in those without daytime dysfunction. This finding highlights the potential importance of maintaining adequate vitamin D levels to promote healthy sleep patterns in older adults.