Sex-specific association between serum α-klotho levels and sleep disturbances in the elderly: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Sleep disturbances (SD) exhibit a high prevalence among older adults and exert considerable influence on cardiovascular health, quality of life, and other facets of well-being. α-Klotho, an anti-aging factor that diminishes with advancing age, has been implicated in a multitude o...

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Main Authors: Lu Liu, Tao Xu, Xiaolan Gao, Xianying Lei, Qinxue Hu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:European Journal of Medical Research
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-025-02600-9
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author Lu Liu
Tao Xu
Xiaolan Gao
Xianying Lei
Qinxue Hu
author_facet Lu Liu
Tao Xu
Xiaolan Gao
Xianying Lei
Qinxue Hu
author_sort Lu Liu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Sleep disturbances (SD) exhibit a high prevalence among older adults and exert considerable influence on cardiovascular health, quality of life, and other facets of well-being. α-Klotho, an anti-aging factor that diminishes with advancing age, has been implicated in a multitude of age-related conditions. However, the relationship between SD and α-klotho levels in the elderly remains inadequately investigated, and potential sex-specific differences in this association warrant further exploration. Methods This study utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to initially investigate the association between α-klotho levels and SD, with analyses conducted separately for both sexes. In addition, the relationship was further delineated using restricted cubic spline (RCS) curves. Results A total of 5,957 elderly adults participated in this study, revealing a prevalence of SD at 29.5%. Notably, females exhibited a higher prevalence of SD compared to men (33.6% for females vs. 25.3% for males). After adjusting for covariates, higher α-klotho levels were hypothesized to be associated with a decreased incidence of SD. Differences also existed between sexes, as demonstrated by a significant correlation between serum α-klotho and SD in females, but not in males. Results from the RCS analysis indicated a negative and nonlinear relationship between α-klotho levels and SD, consistent across both sexes and the general population. Conclusions The findings of the current study revealed a negative association between α-klotho levels and the development of SD in the elderly population, with notable sex-specific differences.
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spelling doaj-art-d7f67d3e6e35430fbb0ad8de4b23a91c2025-08-20T02:34:06ZengBMCEuropean Journal of Medical Research2047-783X2025-05-0130111210.1186/s40001-025-02600-9Sex-specific association between serum α-klotho levels and sleep disturbances in the elderly: a cross-sectional studyLu Liu0Tao Xu1Xiaolan Gao2Xianying Lei3Qinxue Hu4Department of Critical Care Medicine, Xuyong County People’s HospitalDepartment of Critical Care Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical UniversityDepartment of Critical Care Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical UniversityDepartment of Critical Care Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical UniversityDepartment of Critical Care Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical UniversityAbstract Background Sleep disturbances (SD) exhibit a high prevalence among older adults and exert considerable influence on cardiovascular health, quality of life, and other facets of well-being. α-Klotho, an anti-aging factor that diminishes with advancing age, has been implicated in a multitude of age-related conditions. However, the relationship between SD and α-klotho levels in the elderly remains inadequately investigated, and potential sex-specific differences in this association warrant further exploration. Methods This study utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to initially investigate the association between α-klotho levels and SD, with analyses conducted separately for both sexes. In addition, the relationship was further delineated using restricted cubic spline (RCS) curves. Results A total of 5,957 elderly adults participated in this study, revealing a prevalence of SD at 29.5%. Notably, females exhibited a higher prevalence of SD compared to men (33.6% for females vs. 25.3% for males). After adjusting for covariates, higher α-klotho levels were hypothesized to be associated with a decreased incidence of SD. Differences also existed between sexes, as demonstrated by a significant correlation between serum α-klotho and SD in females, but not in males. Results from the RCS analysis indicated a negative and nonlinear relationship between α-klotho levels and SD, consistent across both sexes and the general population. Conclusions The findings of the current study revealed a negative association between α-klotho levels and the development of SD in the elderly population, with notable sex-specific differences.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-025-02600-9Sleep disturbanceα-KlothoSex differencesRestricted cubic spline analysis
spellingShingle Lu Liu
Tao Xu
Xiaolan Gao
Xianying Lei
Qinxue Hu
Sex-specific association between serum α-klotho levels and sleep disturbances in the elderly: a cross-sectional study
European Journal of Medical Research
Sleep disturbance
α-Klotho
Sex differences
Restricted cubic spline analysis
title Sex-specific association between serum α-klotho levels and sleep disturbances in the elderly: a cross-sectional study
title_full Sex-specific association between serum α-klotho levels and sleep disturbances in the elderly: a cross-sectional study
title_fullStr Sex-specific association between serum α-klotho levels and sleep disturbances in the elderly: a cross-sectional study
title_full_unstemmed Sex-specific association between serum α-klotho levels and sleep disturbances in the elderly: a cross-sectional study
title_short Sex-specific association between serum α-klotho levels and sleep disturbances in the elderly: a cross-sectional study
title_sort sex specific association between serum α klotho levels and sleep disturbances in the elderly a cross sectional study
topic Sleep disturbance
α-Klotho
Sex differences
Restricted cubic spline analysis
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-025-02600-9
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