Association between muscular strength and sleep quality in older adults undergoing hemodialysis: a cross-sectional study

Purpose Older adults undergoing hemodialysis experience improved survival rates but often suffer from sleep disorders, resulting in adverse health outcomes. This study aims to assess the association between handgrip strength (HGS), a key indicator of muscular strength, and sleep quality in older adults undergoing hemodialysis. Methods This cross-sectional and analytical study assessed 150 older adults undergoing hemodialysis selected by simple randomization. Data on demographics, clinical parameters, HGS, and sleep quality (PSQI) were collected and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with SPSS version 20. Results The mean age of the participants was 65.61 +/- 4.07 years. Mean mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and calf circumference (CC) were 29.59 cm and 36.96 cm, respectively. The mean HGS was 28.7 +/- 8.55 kg, with males exhibiting higher HGS (37.72 +/- 6.17 kg) than females (23.55 +/- 5.38 kg). The mean PSQI score was 6.71, with 54.1% reporting poor sleep quality. Sleep quality was significantly associated with income source, underlying diseases, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), BMI, MUAC, CC, HGS, and blood levels of potassium and creatinine. A moderate negative correlation (r = - 0.438, p < 0.001) was observed between HGS and PSQI scores, indicating better sleep quality with greater muscular strength. Elevated potassium levels increase the risk of poor sleep. Conclusions Older adults undergoing hemodialysis frequently experience poor sleep quality, which is associated with lower muscular strength. These findings highlight the importance of implementing targeted interventions, such as strength-training programs, to improve muscular strength and, consequently, sleep quality in this vulnerable population.