Middle-Aged Women and the Link Between Excessive Daytime Sleepiness and Mortality

A recent study presented at the SLEEP 2025 annual meeting highlights a significant association between excessive daytime sleepiness and increased risk of all-cause mortality specifically in middle-aged women. The research, led by Dr. Arash Maghsoudi from Baylor College of Medicine, analyzed medical records of over 40,000 female veterans spanning from 1999 to 2022. Participants' sleepiness levels were assessed using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, a validated tool measuring the likelihood of dozing during daily activities. Results indicated that women aged 50 to 65 with high sleepiness scores had a 16% higher risk of mortality compared to those with normal levels, even after accounting for factors like age, race, ethnicity, BMI, and other health conditions. Importantly, no similar association was observed in younger or older women, suggesting that middle age may be a critical period for evaluating sleep health.

This study underscores the importance of early detection and management of excessive daytime sleepiness, especially in women approaching or in their early 60s. Sleepiness is recognized as a key patient-reported outcome linked to adverse health effects and reduced quality of life. The findings point towards possible hormonal, metabolic, or resilience factors that may influence this association in middle-aged women, warranting further mechanistic research.

The research abstract has been published in an online supplement of the journal SLEEP and will be formally presented at the conference in Seattle. Clinicians are encouraged to consider routine assessments of sleepiness using tools like the Epworth Sleepiness Scale to identify women at risk and improve intervention strategies. This study emphasizes the need for targeted sleep health initiatives during middle age to potentially reduce mortality risks.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-excessive-daytime-sleepiness-mortality-middle.html