Background/aim: Sleep disorders are more common in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We aimed to determine the sleep quality in adult and elderly people with RA and the factors associated with sleep disorders in each group. Materials and methods: The study was conducted with 182 patients (83 elderly and 99 adult patients) diagnosed with RA. Data were collected through a patient identification form including sociodemographic and disease characteristics. The Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used to assess quality of life and sleep. Results: The mean PSQI scores of the elderly group were lower than those of adult subjects (P = 0.055). Patients in remission and those with knee involvement had significantly lower PSQI scores (P < 0.05). Mean PSQI scores of elderly single patients and subjects with sleep disorders and restless leg syndrome were significantly higher (P < 0.05). In elderly subjects, the pain and HAQ scores were positively correlated with the PSQI. Conclusion: Sleep quality of elderly rheumatoid arthritis patients was determined to be worse than that of adults; however, the difference was not statistically different. Factors negatively affecting sleep included pain, joints involved, high disease activity, and restless leg syndrome.