Memory Deficits in Adults with Atopic Dermatitis: The Overlooked Impact of Sleep Disturbance

Abstract

Background:

Sleep disturbance is highly prevalent in atopic dermatitis (AD), yet its contribution to memory deficits remains underexplored.

Aims:

To characterize sleep disturbance and memory dysfunction in adults with AD, examine their relationship with disease severity, and identify predictors of impaired memory.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted among adult patients with AD . Sleep and memory were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Everyday Memory Questionnaire-Revised (EMQ-R). Associations were analyzed using multivariate models.

Results:

Seventy-eight patients participated. Poor sleep quality was reported in 77%, and 64% exhibited memory dysfunction. Sleep latency increased with disease severity (mild: 32 ± 13 minutes; moderate: 49 ± 34 minutes; severe: 63 ± 33 minutes; P <0.001), while sleep duration decreased (mild: 6.7 ± 1.2 hours; moderate: 5.5 ± 1.8 hours; severe: 4.5 ± 1.9 hours; P <0.001). EMQ-R global scores were highest in severe AD (35 ± 11 vs. moderate: 19 ± 11; mild: 7.9 ± 7.9; P <0.001). Higher PSQI scores were strongly associated with greater memory dysfunction (β = 1.7), poorer retrieval (β = 1.1), and impaired attention tracking (β = 0.7), all P <0.001. Poor sleep quality (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 4.4) and daytime dysfunction (AOR = 3.1) independently predicted memory impairment.

Conclusion:

Sleep and memory disturbances were associated with increasing atopic dermatitis severity in adults, supporting the relevance of routine sleep evaluation when addressing memory performance.