Excessive Daytime Sleepiness Linked to Higher Mortality in Middle-Aged Women

Recent research involving over 40,000 female veterans suggests that excessive daytime sleepiness is significantly associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality in middle-aged women. Specifically, women aged 50 to 65 who scored high on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale exhibited a 16% greater likelihood of dying from any cause, even after accounting for various health and demographic factors.

This pattern wasn’t evident in younger or older women, which researchers believe might indicate that hormonal or metabolic changes during midlife could make some women more susceptible to the health impacts of poor sleep.

Key Insights

• Critical Age Range: The connection between daytime sleepiness and mortality appears mainly in women aged 50 to 65.
• Increased Risk: High Epworth scores correlate with a 16% rise in mortality risk for midlife women.
• Possible Biological Factors: Findings suggest there may be specific hormonal or metabolic influences affecting this age group.

A study set to be presented at the upcoming SLEEP 2025 annual meeting has confirmed that excessive daytime sleepiness correlates with higher mortality odds specifically in middle-aged women, unlike their younger or older counterparts. The analysis illustrated that women within the 50 to 65 age range who demonstrated elevated scores on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale had a 16% higher risk of all-cause mortality compared to those with normal sleepiness levels.

This study controlled for various factors, including age, race, body mass index, and existing health conditions. Interestingly, no significant links were found for the younger or older women in the study.

According to Arash Maghsoudi, the lead author of the study who is a biomedical engineering instructor at Baylor College of Medicine, recognizing middle age as a pivotal phase means that healthcare providers should consider assessing and managing excessive daytime sleepiness among women in their 50s and early 60s more closely.

Daytime sleepiness can be a crucial patient-reported outcome tied to increased risks for adverse health issues and can lower one’s quality of life. Excessive sleepiness is essentially when individuals find it hard to remain awake and alert during daytime activities.

The research involved a thorough review of medical records from 40,250 female veterans collected between 1999 and 2022, particularly focusing on those diagnosed with sleep disorders or those receiving sleep-related treatments. The average age of participants was around 48 years, and notes were examined to gather scores from the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, a validated tool analyzing the probability of dozing off in everyday situations.

Maghsoudi emphasized the absence of any association between excessive daytime sleepiness and mortality in older women, who usually have more health conditions. This might indicate that certain hormonal, metabolic, or resilience factors need further exploration for middle-aged women.

Funding Acknowledgment

This research received support from multiple organizations, including the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston.

About This Sleep Study

Details on these findings will be shared at SLEEP 2025, further enhancing our understanding of the relationship between sleep and health in different life stages.