Abstract
Whether sleep problems of menopausal women are associated with vasomotor symptoms and/or changes in estrogen levels associated with menopause or age-related changes in sleep architecture is unclear. This study aimed to determine if poor sleep in middle-aged women is correlated with menopause. This study recruited women seeking care for the first time at the menopause outpatient department of our hospital. Inclusion criteria were an age ≥40 years, not taking any medications for menopausal symptoms, and no sleeping problems or depression. Patients were assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), modified Kupperman Index (KI), and Menopause Rating Scale (MRS). A PSQI score of <7 indicated no sleep disorder and ≥7 indicated a sleep disorder. Blood specimens were analyzed for follicle-stimulating hormone and estradiol levels. A total of 244 women were included in the study; 103 (42.2%) were identified as having a sleep disorder and 141 as not having one. In addition, 156 (64%) women were postmenopausal and 88 (36%) were not menopausal. Follicle-stimulating hormone and estradiol levels were similar between the groups. Patients with a sleep disorder had a significantly higher total modified KI score and total MRS score (both, P<0.001) compared with those without a sleep disorder. Correlations of the PSQI total score with the KI and MRS were similar in menopausal and non-menopausal women. These results do not support that menopause per se specifically contributes to sleep problems.
Highlights
Sleep complaints are common among the general population, with approximately 35% of individuals having problems falling asleep, staying asleep, awakening early, or not feeling refreshed after sleep [1]
This study aimed to determine if poor sleep, as evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), is correlated with menopause and quality of life, as evaluated with the Kupperman Index (KI) and Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), in pre- and postmenopausal women
Our study showed that correlations between the PSQI total score and insomnia and sleep problems scores were similar in menopausal and non-menopausal women
Summary
Sleep complaints are common among the general population, with approximately 35% of individuals having problems falling asleep, staying asleep, awakening early, or not feeling refreshed after sleep [1]. Sleep disorders have a significant effect on quality of life, as well as societal and economic effects with respect to lost productivity, accidents, and health care costs [3]. Insomnia is defined as difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, accompanied by irritability or fatigue during wakefulness [4]. Insomnia is estimated to affect up to 30% of the general population and women are almost twice as likely as men to develop it [5,6]. Sleep difficulties among women increase during the peri- and postmenopausal periods
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