Evaluation of Sleep Quality in Pregnancy According to Trimesters and Investigation of Related Factors

• Published in: Journal of Turkish Sleep Medicine 2023-06, Vol.10 (2), p.116-121
• Main Authors: Karadeniz, Mustafa, Ser, Merve Hazal, Benbir Şenel, Gülçin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Pregnancy; restless leg disease; Restless legs syndrome; Sleep; sleep quality; Womens health
• ISSN: 2148-1504; 2148-1504
• DOI: 10.4274/jtsm.galenos.2022.38257

Objective: Pregnancy causes changes in the duration and quality of sleep. Insomnia, insufficient sleep time, and symptoms associated with restless legs syndrome/Willis-Ekbom disease (RLS/WED) are frequently described during pregnancy. We aimed to evaluate the deterioration in sleep quality during pregnancy according to trimesters and to examine the effect of RLS/WEH and its correlation with clinical and biochemical markers. Materials and Methods: Hundred pregnant women were included in the study prospectively and consecutively. Pregnant women were evaluated to determine their clinical characteristics, including demographic data, habits, and medical backgrounds by using a questionnaire. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), disease duration, severity, triggering factors, and family history for RLS/WEH were recorded. Complete blood count, fasting blood glucose, kidney function tests, ferritin, iron and iron binding capacity were also analyzed. Results: The mean age was 28.8±6.0 years. PSQI values were significantly higher in the third trimester (p=0.044), and ESS values were similar between trimesters (p=0.524). RLS/WEH was detected in 34% of the pregnant women; there was no difference between trimesters (p=0.188). The PSQI score was significantly higher in RLS/WEH patients (p=0.013). There was no significant difference in clinical and biochemical parameters between pregnant women with and without subjective poor sleep quality at night (PSQI >5 points). Conclusion: It is shown that night sleep quality is deteriorated in pregnant women, especially in the last trimester. The fact that the frequency of RLS/WEH is not different in pregnant women with poor sleep quality suggests the existence of other factors underlying poor sleep quality.