RESUMO
Disturbed sleep is a particular important consideration in mental health and illness because of its pervasive CECCH on mood, performance and physical functions. This study was conducted to assess the impact of sleeping disorders on quality of life [QOL] among elderly women in Shebin El-Kom city and district. Total sample of 400 elderly women [>/= 60 years] from rural and urban areas. Data were collected through questionnaire booklet including both interviewing questionnaire and World Health Organization Quality of Life [WHOQOL] scale. The results revealed that 63% of total sample were complaining of sleep disorders and insomnia was the commonest complaint [55%]. Sleep disorders were significantly associated with physical inactivity and poor sleep habits such as irregular sleep wake time, frequent coffee or tea consumption, inappropriate use of sleep medications [P<0.005 for each]. Also pain [37.3%] was the most common cause of sleep complaint followed by need to go toilet [23%] and psychiatric disorders [21.9%]. Women with sleep complaints had significantly lower percent scores for most of the QOL domains than others [P<0.05]. They scored [49% +/- 16.3 vs. 58% +/- 17.2] for general domain. The main QOL domains affected were psychological, social and physical independency domains. On conclusion sleep disturbance is a common complaint among elderly women which attributed mainly to physical inactivity and poor sleep habits and may have its negative impact on their quality of life