ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Various sleep patterns may be shown in adolescents to be busy for studying. The aim of this study was to investigate sleep-wake patterns and to evaluate predictors of daytime sleepiness. METHODS: Among 1011 high school students living in Cheonan-si, demographic variables and self-reported questionnaires, including items about menstruation, Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were admitted. RESULTS: total of 839 students (male=453, female=386) completed questionnaires. Significant differences in sleep pattern, categorized by score of MEQ (p=0.004), ESS (p<0.001), and BDI (p=0.012) were observed between male and female subjects. Logistic regression analysis showed that excessive daytime sleepiness was predicted by female [odds ratio (OR)=2.039, p=0.022] and sleep quality (OR=1.238, p=0.004). In the regression analysis of female students, dysmenorrhea (beta=0.108, p=0.029), eating of caffeine (beta=-0.114, p=0.019), MEQ (beta=-0.108, p=0.027), insomnia (beta=0.180, p=0.002), and depression (beta=0.116, p=0.029) might be associated with daytime sleepiness. CONCLUSION: In Korean high school students, female and sleep quality might be risk factors of daytime sleepiness. Daytime sleepiness was known to be related with cognitive dysfunction. Therefore, an education program for improving sleep quality in these adolescents should be considered for mental health.