Endometriosis Can Reduce Sleep Quality and Negatively Impact Patient’s Quality of Life Study Suggests

The researchers assessed sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and insomnia in all women using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Epworth sleepiness scale, and the Insomnia Severity Index respectively, all self-evaluating questionnaires.

Most women with endometriosis of the posterior cul-de-sac, experience poor sleep quality, excessive daytime sleepiness and insomnia, according to a study published in the European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology.

Poor sleep quality can reduce the quality of life and is associated with mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, it is therefore of great importance to define the effect of endometriosis on sleep quality. Assessing sleep quality and habits of patients with endometriosis during clinical evaluation could help improve the care offered to these women.

In order to evaluate the impact of endometriosis on quality of sleep, average daytime sleepiness and insomnia, a team of researchers led by Professor Simone Ferrero of San Marino Hospital in Genova, Italy recruited 145 women with endometriosis of the posterior cul-de-sac and 145 women referred to the clinic for routine gynecologic consultations.

The researchers assessed sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and insomnia in all women using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Epworth sleepiness scale, and the Insomnia Severity Index respectively, all self-evaluating questionnaires.

The results showed that the prevalence of poor sleep quality was significantly higher in women with endometriosis of the posterior cul-de-sac with almost 65% experiencing poor sleep quality, compared to women who were referred to the clinic for routine checks, for whom this rate was around 15%.

Similarly, the prevalence of daytime sleepiness was significantly higher in women with endometriosis (23.4%) compared to those without (around 13%).

Finally, women with endometriosis of the posterior cul-de-sac experienced insomnia significantly more frequently than those in the control group (45.6% versus 24.4%).

The authors concluded that a considerable proportion of women with endometriosis of the posterior cul-de-sac experience poor sleep quality, excessive daytime sleepiness and insomnia.

The posterior cul-de-sac is the area between the upper vagina and the rectum. Endometriosis lesions in this area are common and may cause fusion of the rectum and the vagina causing severe pain during intercourse and bowel movements.

Research Source: http://www.ejog.org/article/S0301-2115(15)00425-X/abstract