Assessing sleep using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) among comorbid HIV and psychiatric outpatients

Sleep is an essential component of physical and mental health. HIV and mental illness are both risk factors for developing sleep problems. There is a paucity of sleep research in a population with comorbid HIV and mental illness.

This research study aimed to determine the prevalence of sleep disturbances among comorbid HIV and psychiatric outpatients using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). A further aim was to identify socio-demographic and clinical variables that may significantly correlate with results of their PSQI scores.

Luthando Neuropsychiatric Clinic at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in Johannesburg.

This was a cross-sectional study assessing the sleep of comorbid HIV and psychiatric outpatients using the PSQI. A global score of 5 or greater is indicative of poor sleep quality. Eligible participants completed the self-administered PSQI, and socio-demographic and clinical data were obtained from their records.

A total of 71.6% of participants had an overall PSQI score of ≥ 5, indicating poor sleep quality. HIV-related factors were not predictors of poor sleep outcomes. Female gender, unemployment, absence of alcohol use and selective psychiatric diagnoses were associated with poor sleep quality. None of the participants had a sleep disorder formally diagnosed.

Sleep disturbances are highly prevalent in patients with comorbid HIV and mental illness. Actively screening this population, training of psychiatrists in diagnosing sleep disturbances and interventions to improve the quality of sleep are needed.

This research highlights the prevalence of sleep disturbances in patients with HIV and mental illness.