Sleep Quality among Type 2 Saudi Diabetics.

Abstract

Objectives: To explore the relationship between diabetes control among Saudi type 2 diabetics and their quality of sleep. Patients and Methods: Following a cross-sectional study design, 400 Saudi type-2 diabetics (239 males and 161 females) registered at the Diabetes Center in Abha City, Saudi Arabia were included in this study. An interview questionnaire has been developed by the researchers. It comprised personal characteristics and diabetes-related variables and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Questionnaire (PSQI). Results: More than three fourths of participants (77.3%) had uncontrolled diabetes (HbA1c >7%). Almost three fourths of diabetics (72%) had poor sleep quality. Poor quality of sleep was highest among illiterate diabetics (91.7%). Participants with longer duration of diabetes had significantly more prevalence of poor quality of sleep than those with shorter disease duration (75.9% and 66.3%, respectively, p=0.035). Moreover, participants with uncontrolled diabetes had significantly higher prevalence of poor sleep quality than those with controlled diabetes (78.3% and 49.5%, respectively, p<0.001). However, sleep quality among diabetics did not differ significantly according to their age, gender, or smoking status. Conclusions: Type 2 diabetes is associated with high prevalence of poor quality of sleep. Risk factors for poor quality of sleep include less education, poorly diabetes control and long duration of disease. Detection and treatment of sleep disorders among diabetics is essential.Sleep is an active biologic function that is essential for life and is critical for physical, mental and emotional well-being. Any defects in sleep quality and quantity may lead to several complications, including metabolic errors (1). It is estimated that sleep disorders are among the most common health problems in the general. Nevertheless, sleep disorders are frequently overlooked. About one-third of people in the general population suffer from a chronic disorder of sleep and wakefulness. The critical role of sleep and sleep disturbances in daytime functioning is becoming increasingly apparent (2). A relation has been recognized between respiratory disorders during sleep, e.g., snoring and sleep apnea, and the early manifestations of diabetes, since sleep apnea and snoring may increase cellular insulin resistance, leading to hyperglycemia and increased difficulty to control blood sugar (3).