Effect of sleep disorders on threatened premature delivery.

AIM: The present observational study aimed to clarify the effects of sleep disorders on threatened premature delivery, especially preterm uterine contraction.

METHODS

The participants included 122 healthy singleton pregnant women. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index was used to evaluate the quality of sleep during the previous month at the initial examination and at 16, 24, and 32 weeks of gestation; scores >5 indicate poor sleep. Threatened premature delivery was defined as preterm uterine contraction >6 times/h and requiring tocolytic therapy before 37 weeks of gestation. We analyzed the relationship between poor sleep and threatened premature delivery.

RESULTS

Poor sleep affected 27% (n=33) at the initial examination, 34% (n=41) at 16 weeks, 37% (n=45) at 24 weeks, and 41% (n=50) at 32 weeks of gestation. There were 23 patients (19%) with threatened premature delivery. Poor sleep affected 35% and 25% of patients with threatened and non-threatened premature delivery at the initial examination, respectively, 52% and 29% at 16 weeks, 48% and 34% at 24 weeks, and 43% and 40% at 32 weeks of gestation.

CONCLUSIONS

Sleep disorders at 16 weeks of gestation were the most significantly associated with threatened premature delivery.