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Sleep problems and fatigue in chronically ill women
Carmel Parker White1, Mark B White
1Department of Child Development and Family Relations, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858-4353, USA. whitec@ecu.edu
Behavioral Sleep Medicine
|July 5, 2011
Summary
Mothers with multiple sclerosis (MS) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA) experience worse sleep quality and quantity, often linked to pain and depression. Their sleep issues are associated with their chronic conditions, not typically their children.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Rheumatology
- Sleep Medicine
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Sleep disturbances are common in women with chronic illnesses like multiple sclerosis (MS) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
- The impact of these conditions on sleep quality, quantity, and associated factors like fatigue, pain, and depression in mothers is not fully understood.
- Understanding these relationships is crucial for developing targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the quality and quantity of sleep in mothers with MS or RA compared to well mothers.
- To examine the association between sleep behaviors and fatigue in these populations.
- To identify factors contributing to sleep problems in mothers with chronic illnesses.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study design was employed.
- Mailed surveys were completed by mothers with MS (n=103), mothers with RA (n=68), and a comparison group of well mothers (n=91).
- Data collected included sleep quality/quantity, fatigue, pain, and depression levels.
Main Results:
- Women with MS and RA reported more difficulty initiating sleep compared to well women, with pain and depression as significant factors.
- Mothers with chronic illnesses experienced less frequent sleep interruptions by their children than well mothers.
- Sleep quality and quantity were notably worse for women with RA during a disease flare.
- Overall, mothers with chronic illnesses reported more sleep problems, strongly associated with their pain and depression levels.
Conclusions:
- Mothers with chronic illnesses, specifically MS and RA, face significant sleep challenges.
- Pain and depression are key contributors to poor sleep in this population.
- While children may interrupt sleep less, the underlying chronic conditions and associated symptoms profoundly impact maternal sleep health.
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