Memory Deficits in Adults with Atopic Dermatitis: The Overlooked Impact of Sleep Disturbance

Sleep disturbance is highly prevalent in atopic dermatitis (AD), yet its contribution to memory deficits remains underexplored.

To characterize sleep disturbance and memory dysfunction in adults with AD, examine their relationship with disease severity, and identify predictors of impaired memory.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among adult patients with AD . Sleep and memory were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Everyday Memory Questionnaire-Revised (EMQ-R). Associations were analyzed using multivariate models.

Seventy-eight patients participated. Poor sleep quality was reported in 77%, and 64% exhibited memory dysfunction. Sleep latency increased with disease severity (mild: 32 ± 13 minutes; moderate: 49 ± 34 minutes; severe: 63 ± 33 minutes; P <0.001), while sleep duration decreased (mild: 6.7 ± 1.2 hours; moderate: 5.5 ± 1.8 hours; severe: 4.5 ± 1.9 hours; P <0.001). EMQ-R global scores were highest in severe AD (35 ± 11 vs. moderate: 19 ± 11; mild: 7.9 ± 7.9; P <0.001). Higher PSQI scores were strongly associated with greater memory dysfunction (β = 1.7), poorer retrieval (β = 1.1), and impaired attention tracking (β = 0.7), all P <0.001. Poor sleep quality (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 4.4) and daytime dysfunction (AOR = 3.1) independently predicted memory impairment.

Sleep and memory disturbances were associated with increasing atopic dermatitis severity in adults, supporting the relevance of routine sleep evaluation when addressing memory performance.