Sleep quality and daytime sleepiness among Polish anaesthesiologists and intensivists.

PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate sleep quality (SQ), daytime sleepiness (DS), and their relation with subject- and work-related factors among Polish anaesthesiologists.

METHODS

The study group comprised 786 anaesthesiologists. The Sleep Quality Scale (SQS) was applied in order to assess SQ, while excessive DS was evaluated using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS).

RESULTS

The median score on the SQS was 31 (IQR 27-35) points. The median score on the ESS was 17 (IQR 13-20) points, with mild-to-moderate excessive DS found in 260 (33.1%) and severe excessive DS among 478 (60.8%) of those surveyed. Worse SQ was found in females; smokers; those who suffered from any chronic diseases; those who were receiving medication interfering with sleeping habits; those who were unsatisfied with their sleep; those who had a greater number of night shifts; and those who had a lower number of non-working days. A detrimental sleepiness pattern was determined by one's advanced age, the presence of any chronic diseases and lower satisfaction with one's sleep quantity.

CONCLUSION

Poor SQ and excessive DS are frequently occurring phenomena. Since sleep disturbances are also related to the nature of their profession, the problem could be reduced by introducing organisational changes at work.