Usual sleep duration and cognitive function in older adults in Spain

The few studies that have examined the association between usual sleep duration and cognitive function have shown conflicting results. This cross‐sectional study examined the association between sleep duration and cognitive function among 3212 people, representative of the non‐institutionalized population aged 60 years and over in Spain. Sleep duration was self‐reported, and cognitive function was measured with the Mini‐Examen Cognoscitivo (MEC), a version of the Mini‐Mental State Examination that has been validated in Spain. Linear regression, with adjustment for the main confounders, was used to obtain mean differences in the MEC between the categories of sleep duration (≤5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, ≥11 h day^?1). The MEC score decreased progressively (became worse) across sleep categories from 7 to ≥11 h (P for linear trend <0.001). People who slept for ≥11 h had a significantly lower MEC score than those who slept for 7 h (mean difference ?1.48; 95% confidence interval ?2.12 to ?0.85). This difference in the MEC was similar to that observed for a 10‐year increase in age. The results did not vary significantly by sex (P for interaction >0.05). No association was observed between short sleep duration (<7 h) and cognitive function. We conclude that long sleep duration is associated with poorer cognitive function in older adults from the general population.     

Trends in ischaemic heart disease mortality and its determinants in Spain, 1940-1988

Trends of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) mortality and of manyof their determinants in Spain from 1940–1988 resemblethose of other Mediterranean countries and some Western countrieswith a lag of 10 years. Mortality from IHD Increased from 1955to 1975 and then declined. This trend affected both sexes andalmost all age groups. Tobacco smoking increased from 3.2 gper capita per day in 1940 to 8 g per capita per day in themid-1970s and then levelled off. The prevalence of smoking hasdecreased in all ages among men but has Increased among womenover the last 15 years. Since 1940 there has been a steady increasein the intake of meat and dairy products and a moderate riseof eggs, fish and sunflower oil. Consumption of olive oil hasremained relatively constant. These trends have been translatedinto an increase of total lipid intake and of saturated, monounsaturatedand polyunsaturated fatty acids and cholesterol over the period1940–1988. The number of physicians, primary health carecentres, cardiac function diagnostic facilities, heart operationsand the consumption of cardiovascular drugs have also Increasedsince the mid- 1970s. The authors conclude that the reductionin smoking among men and the improvement of the health caresystem may have contributed to the decline in IHD mortalityrates in Spain since 1975.