Impact of Sleep Disorders on Cognitive Function in Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background Stroke sleep disorders have negative effects on physiological function, readmission rate and mortality. However, the effects on cognitive function were inconsistent. This study aims to identify the impact of sleep disorders on cognitive functions in stroke, and the relationship between types of sleep disorders and cognitive disorders.Methods This systematic review and meta-analysis searched PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM), CNKI, Wanfang and VIP Database from inception until October 13, 2024. Using Revman 5.3 software to combine the odds ratios (ORs) and standardized mean differences (SMDs) reported in the study separately. Quality assessment, heterogeneity, and sensitivity analyses were also involved.Results There were 6 longitudinal studies and 10 cross-sectional studies involving 5,779 patients. Longitudinal studies showed that stroke patients with sleep disorders were more likely to have cognitive impairment [OR = 2.35, 95% CI (1.67, 3.31), I2 = 0%, p > .1]. Cross-sectional studies showed the same results [OR = 2.45, 95% CI (1.77, 3.40), I2 = 65%, p < .1], and the results did not change much [OR = 2.62, 95% CI (2.15, 3.20), I2 = 0%, p > .1] after the deletion of the literature that caused high heterogeneity. Age has a significant effect on cognition in stroke patients with sleep disorders (p < .1). Egger’s test showed no significant publication bias (p > .1).Conclusions Sleep disorders are associated factors affecting cognitive impairment in stroke patients, and the older the age, the greater the negative effect.