Ecological and demographic influences on the prevalence of sleep disorders and their impact on cognitive decline

Introduction: Sleep disorders are increasingly recognized as significant public health concerns, influencing cognitive function and overall well-being. While previous studies have established a connection between sleep disturbances and cognitive decline, little is known about the impact of ecological factors such as noise pollution, air quality, and temperature on sleep health. This study examines the relationship between ecological influences, the prevalence of sleep disorders, and their impact on cognitive functioning in various demographic groups.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 150 participants aged 18 and older. Data were collected using self-reported ecological and sleep quality questionnaires and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) to assess cognitive function. Statistical analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26 (Released 2019; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States), with chi-square tests (χ2), independent sample t-tests, ANOVA, and correlation analysis to assess the relationship between ecological factors, sleep disorders, and cognitive outcomes.

Results: Gender differences were observed, with males showing lower rates of moderate cognitive impairment (n = 12) compared to females (n = 30), although sleep quality differences were not statistically significant (t(148) = 0.51, p = 0.61). Older adults exhibited significantly lower MMSE scores (χ2 = 135.0, p = 0.00), indicating more significant cognitive impairment than middle-aged adults. Ecological factors such as high environmental noise and poor air quality were negatively correlated with sleep quality (r = -0.79, p < 0.05) and cognitive function (r = -0.90, p < 0.01).

Conclusion: This study highlights the substantial impact of ecological and demographic factors on sleep health and cognitive function. Poor sleep quality, influenced by noise pollution, air quality, and temperature fluctuations, is associated with cognitive decline, particularly in older adults. Maintaining an optimal sleep duration of approximately seven hours may serve as a protective factor against cognitive impairment. Given the observed associations, targeted interventions such as noise reduction policies, improved air quality measures, and urban planning for better sleep environments could help mitigate sleep-related cognitive decline. Future longitudinal studies incorporating objective sleep monitoring techniques are recommended to strengthen causal inferences.