Sleep problems, pain interference, and global subjective health outcome: Findings from a representative aging study in Ghana

• Published in: Geriatric nursing (New York) 2025-01, Vol.61, p.73-79
• Main Authors: Gyasi, Razak M., Konadu, Emmanuel, Appiah, Priscilla, Agyei, Desmond, Nyaaba, Emmanuel, Ntiamoah, Michael Kwadwo, Asiedu, Hubert Bimpeh, Koomson-Yalley, Elizabeth Nana Mbrah, Tayviah, Margaret Makafui, Opoku-Ware, Jones, Hajek, André
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Older adults; Pain interference; Public health; Self-rated health; Sleep
• ISSN: 0197-4572; 1528-3984; 1528-3984
• DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2024.10.067

•We analyzed a sample of 1201 individuals aged 50 years and older in Ghana.•Poor sleep quality was associated with increases in pain interference (β=0.320, p < 0.001) and poor global self-rated health (SRH) (β=0.039, p < 0.001).•Pain interference mediated 61.6 % of the sleep quality-global SRH link in the overall sample.•Pain interference explained 36.7 % of the association between sleep quality and global SRH among women.•Findings may improve understanding of effective sleep and pain management strategies for improved subjective health in old age. We investigated the association between sleep problems and global self-rated health (SRH) in individuals aged ≥50 years in Ghana and explored the sex-wise mediating role of pain interference in this association. Data from the Aging, Health, Psychological Well-being, and Health-seeking Behavior Study were analyzed (N=1201). Global SRH and pain interference were assessed with the Medical Outcomes Study (Short Form-36) Scale. Sleep-related problems were assessed on a 5-point scale from none=1 to extreme=5. Adjusted OLS regressions and bootstrapped mediation models evaluated the hypothesized associations. The mean (SD) age was 66.1 (11.9) years and 63.3 % were females. Sleep problems were associated with increases in pain interference (β = 0.320, p < 0.001) and poor SRH (β = 0.039, p < 0.001). Pain interference mediated 61.6% of the sleep problems–SRH association in the overall sample (β =0.063, Bootstrap 95%CI=0.014–0.034) and 36.7% among women (β =0.023, Bootstrap 95%CI=0.023–0.053). Effective sleep and pain management strategies may improve subjective health outcomes, particularly among older women.