Research shows that more than a third of women in Singapore have trouble sleeping. Factors such as educational level, irritability, vaginal dryness, physical disability, urinary incontinence, and breast cancer history contribute to poor sleep quality, with varying degrees across ethnic groups.
In a cohort of 1,094 women with a mean age of 56.4 years, 38.2% had a Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score greater than 5, indicating poor sleep quality. Compared to Chinese women (n=897), Indian women (n=59) had higher sleep disturbance scores (mean 1.33 vs 1.17) and Malay women (n=106) had higher daytime dysfunction scores. higher (mean 0.54 vs 1.17). 0.33) and higher overall her PSQI global score (mean, 6.00 vs 5.02). [Sleep Med X 2022;5:100060]
“We observed no significant ethnic differences in subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, and habitual sleep efficiency,” the researchers report.
“Our findings are consistent with other studies that ethnic minorities tend to report poorer sleep quality. It may be related to previous findings in Singapore of an increase in habitual snoring and breathing-related disorders in the United States,” they noted. [Sleep Med X 2022;4:100043; Sleep 2008:31:979-990;
Menopause 2003;10:19-28]
The researchers also noted that differences in sleep quality among various ethnic groups may be explained by the higher prevalence of obesity and hypertension among Malays and Indians. [Arch Osteoporos 2019;14:80;
Eur Respir J 1998;12:198-203]
Risk factor
In our cohort, poor sleep quality was associated more with moderate to severe menopausal symptoms (hot flashes, cardiac discomfort, joint or muscle discomfort, irritability, physical and mental fatigue, sexual problems, and vaginal dryness). asymptomatic. Women with a history of urinary incontinence, asthma, moderate to severe disability (compared with no to mild symptoms), breast cancer, and at least three other health conditions are also more likely to have trouble sleeping. I got
A multivariate logistic regression model revealed six variables as risk factors for poor sleep quality.
Low education level (no formal education or up to primary education level vs college degree; adjusted odds ratio) [aOR]1.76, 95% confidence interval [CI]1.01–3.05), irritability (aOR, 2.67, 95% CI, 1.56–4.60), vaginal dryness (aOR, 1.62, 95% CI, 1.03–2.54), moderate to severe disturbance (aOR, 2.99, 95% CI, 1.20–7.44), urinary incontinence (aOR, 1.53, 95% CI, 1.08–2.17), and a history of breast cancer (aOR, 2.77, 95% CI, 1.36–5.64).
Conditions such as urinary incontinence, irritability, vaginal dryness, moderate to severe disability, and a history of breast cancer are unique to middle-aged women and account for the poor sleep quality observed in the current cohort. It may explain why the prevalence was higher than that reported in women in general. According to investigators, the population of Singapore. [Sleep Med X 2022;4:100043]
Taken together, the results of this study highlight the need for improved sleep management and ethnically targeted interventions in women with the above conditions, they added.
Investigators requested a longitudinal study to confirm the findings.
