Abstract: Objective To investigate the effects of long-term use of hypnotics on daytime sleepiness and cognitive function in the elderly. Methods A total of 103 elderly patients aged ≥80 years old who were hospitalized in our hospital were enrolled in this study. They were divided into the hypnotic group and the control group according to whether they took hypnotics. The cognitive function and daytime sleepiness in the two groups were assessed respectively by Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and compared. Results The incidence of daytime sleepiness showed no significant difference between the two groups (P＞0.05). The scores of ESS showed that the incidence rates of severe sleepiness in dull public places or while sitting quietly after lunch in the control group were significantly higher than those in the hypnotic group (P<0.05).The scores of MoCA showed that there was statistically significant difference in (language) naming between the hypnotic group and the control group (P<0.05). Conclusions Reasonable and effective hypnotic drug treatment for the elderly with insomnia has no adverse effect on cognitive function and daytime sleepiness, so hypnotic drugs can be used to strengthen the intervention of sleep problems in the elderly.

Key words: hypnotics, daytime sleepiness, cognitive function, aged