Cognitive functions in elderly patients with insomnia: a case-control study

Abstract Background Insomnia is a disorder commonly associated with the elderly population that may affect cognitive function and mood. Insomnia diminishes attention, memory, visuospatial capacities, and executive functioning. The association between insomnia and age-related cognitive deterioration has been previously established. Aim Assessing the effect of insomnia on cognitive functioning in older persons was the aim of this study. Method This case-control study recruited 110 participants from the Department of Psychiatry, Cairo University's Faculty of Medicine. Patients aged 60 and above were divided into two groups: 55 cases and 55 controls. All participants were given the Mini Neuropsychiatric Interview, the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Basic Version (MOCA-B) as evaluation instruments. Results The patients and controls showed notable variations in terms of executive functioning, calculation, visuoperception, naming, attention, and the overall score of the MOCA-B test. Furthermore, comparison between patients with early insomnia and other types of insomnia revealed a statistically significant impairment in the total MOCA-B test, delayed recall, and attention subtests. Conclusion When compared to matched controls, elderly people with insomnia did worse on cognitive tests. Calculation, attention, executive skills, visuoperception, and naming were among the cognitive processes that were impaired.