Does sleep quality mediate the association of depressive symptoms with pain and disability in older adults with low back pain? A longitudinal population-based study.

Key Points

• To investigate how sleep quality influences the relationship between depressive symptoms and pain/disability in older adults.
• Longitudinal population-based study design
• Assessment of sleep quality and depressive symptoms
• Evaluation of pain and disability levels over time
• Sleep quality significantly mediates the relationship between depressive symptoms and pain/disability
• Poor sleep quality is linked to increased pain and disability
• Improving sleep quality may alleviate depressive symptoms and associated pain