Sleep Quality, Depression, and Frailty in Atrial Fibrillation Patients: The Mediating and Interaction Effects

ABSTRACT Purpose Frailty, sleep disorders, and depression are common issues among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) although the underlying mechanisms are not yet clear. This study aims to explore the mediating role of depression between sleep and frailty and the interactive effects of sleep and depression on frailty in patients with AF. Methods We conducted a cross‐sectional study that enrolled 380 AF patients in Tianjin, China. The Mental Health Inventory‐5, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the FRAIL scale were used to detect depression, sleep quality, and frailty. The Mediator and interaction effects were tested among them. Results Sleep quality had a positive effect on depression (a = 0.135, p < 0.001). Sleep quality had a positive effect on frailty (b = 0.089, p < 0.001). Depression partially mediates the relationship between sleep quality and frailty with the mediating effect was 14.8%. Further, sleep disorders and depression have an additive interactive effect to synergistically increase the risk of frailty (OR = 8.94, 95% CI: 4.36–18.3, p < 0.001) which is strongly indicated by the RERI = 5 (95% CI: 0.14–13.25), A p = 0.51 (95% CI: 0.07–1.63), and S = 3.13 (95% CI: 1.26–19.84). Conclusion Depression partially mediates between sleep and frailty in AF patients. AF patients exposed to both sleep disorders and depression have a superposed risk of frailty. In clinical practice, A variety of interventions should be considered to improve sleep quality and depression to reduce the risk of frailty.