Sleep disturbance in mid-life women

A correlational field survey was used to describe sleep disturbance and explore the relationship of that sleep disturbance to the psychological and menopausal status of 23 mid-life women. Subjects were 40-55 years of age and had self-reported sleep problems. Instruments included the sleep disturbance questionnaire (SDQ), Centre for Epidemiologic Studies depression scale (CES-D), Speilberger state-trait anxiety scale (STAI), a demographic form, 4 cc blood sample for follicle stimulating hormone analysis, and a 7-night sleep diary ('self report of sleep', or SRS). Ten of the 23 subjects reported periodic limb movement on the SDQ. Sleep diaries (SRS) revealed a characteristic sleep disturbance among 13 of the 23 subjects, which paralleled in some respects the changes in sleep efficiency observed with advancing age, but was more pronounced and was present at an earlier age. There was no statistically significant relationship between sleep disturbance and menopausal status or symptoms, or anxiety and depression among subjects, as shown by correlational coefficient and chi-square statistical tests. Results suggest that a characteristic sleep disorder accompanied by periodic limb movement may be responsible for sleep disturbance in mid-life women. What remains unclear is whether this sleep disturbance is related to aspects of the perimenopause not addressed in this study or to other aspects of ageing.