Daytime Sleepiness & Early Death Risk in Women
- SEATTLE — A recent study reveals a potential link between excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and an increased risk of death from any cause in women aged 50 to...
- Arash Maghsoudi of Baylor College of Medicine, found that women in this age group with high scores on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were 16% more likely to...
- The study adjusted for factors such as age,race,ethnicity,body mass index (BMI),and other health conditions.
Daytime Sleepiness Linked to Higher Mortality in Middle-Aged Women
SEATTLE — A recent study reveals a potential link between excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and an increased risk of death from any cause in women aged 50 to 65. The observational study, presented at SLEEP 2025, analyzed data from over 40,000 female veterans.
Researchers, led by Dr. Arash Maghsoudi of Baylor College of Medicine, found that women in this age group with high scores on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were 16% more likely to die than those with normal sleepiness levels. The ESS is a tool used to measure a person’s level of daytime sleepiness. The association was not statistically significant in younger or older women.
The study adjusted for factors such as age,race,ethnicity,body mass index (BMI),and other health conditions. The findings suggest that middle age might potentially be a critical period for addressing EDS in women.
Indira Gurubhagavatula, a sleep medicine expert at the University of Pennsylvania, noted the findings reinforce the importance of addressing sleepiness as a potential health concern. The american Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) also emphasizes that sleepiness can interfere with daily life and signal underlying health issues.
“Identifying middle age as a critical period suggests clinicians should prioritize an Epworth Sleepiness Scale assessment and excessive daytime sleepiness management in women approaching their 50s and early 60s,” said Dr. maghsoudi.
Gurubhagavatula cautioned that the study’s focus on women veterans might limit the generalizability of the results to other populations. She also pointed out that while the increased risk at an individual level appears small, the overall impact on society could be significant if the findings are confirmed.
What’s next
Further research is needed to understand the reasons behind the link between excessive daytime sleepiness and mortality in middle-aged women. Future studies should explore potential mechanisms and causal factors to confirm thes findings and determine if they apply to broader populations.