Chronotype and daytime sleepiness in nurses working in six hospitals of the Spanish National Health System

Abstract

Introduction In registered nurses (RN), the chronotype and the daytime sleepiness are features that have been assessed because of the peculiarities of the care units as well as some demographics data that could affect the timing of human sleep. The objective of this study is to evaluate daytime sleepiness and morning–evening chronotype by questionnaire in RN in six hospitals of the Spanish National Health System (SNHS). Materials and methods A multicentric, observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study in 6 hospitals of the SNHS was carried out. RN has being collected in three types of units: medical (M), surgical (S) and intensive care (I). The study started in 01/12 and will continue until 12/14. Two questionnaires have used to evaluate daytime drowsiness and chronotype: Spanish version of Epworth Daytime Sleepiness Scale (EDSS) and Horne & Ostberg Morning and Evening Questionnaire (MEQ). Frequency distribution, arithmetic mean, variance analysis (One-Way ANOVA), and independent t student statistic have been carried out. Results A total of 390 nurses have been included, 85.4% ( n = 333) of them was female and the mean age was 41 (SD 9.80) years old. The mean of work experience is 16 (SD 9.23) years and 90.8% ( n = 344) of RN has a full-time contract. The distribution of nurses by the care unit is so equal: 120 nurses in I (30.8%), 131 nurses in M (35.1%) and 133 nurses in S (34.1%). 39.5% ( n = 232) of the nurses included said to be very satisfied with being nurses and 53% ( n = 199) of RN showed excessive daytime sleepiness. In relation with the MEQ, intermediate type was the most common (56.7%; n = 212) followed by moderate morningness (20.3%; n = 79). Comparison between chronotype and work experience was significantly related, showing the higher work experience in nursing care the higher trend to be intermediate or morningness type ( p p Conclusion Most of the RN showed an excessive daytime sleepiness, but no differences between the EDSS scores and the sociodemographics data have been found. The more common chronotype is intermediate and morningness; also there is a relationship between chronotype and work experience, as well as nurse’s age. In this way, the more experience and age of the nurse displays an intermediate and morningness type. Acknowledgements Study supported by RETICEF (RD12/0043/0011), FIS (PI11/00646).