The severity of depressive symptoms as a mediator in the sleep-osteoarthritis risk pathway: insights from the ELSA cohort.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a major cause of disability in middle-aged and older adults, yet its risk factors and mechanisms require further investigation. The connection between sleep disturbances and OA risk remains controversial, with underlying mechanisms unclear. The research aimed to examine the prospective association between sleep quality, sleep duration, and incident OA, and to evaluate whether the severity of depressive symptoms partially mediate this association.

Methods

This analysis included 4,147 ELSA participants aged ≥50 years without baseline OA. Sleep quality (good/intermediate/poor) and duration (short: <7 h, optimal: 7-8 h, long: >8 h) were assessed via questionnaires. The severity of depressive symptoms was measured using the CES-D scale. Incident

SUBMITTER: Wang J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12554558 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature