relationship between sleep patterns and the quality of life in coronary artery bypass graft patients

ABSTRACT

Rest and sleep have restorative and protective roles in the restoration of our mental and physical abilities which are two important dimensions in the quality of life. Non-rapid eye movement sleep is important in protecting the cardiac function in CABG patients, who return to normal life after 8-12 weeks while sleep disorders prevail for one year after surgery. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the relationship between sleep patterns and the quality of life in CABG patients. This longitudinal, descriptive and correlational study was conducted on 91 patients admitted to Imam Reza Hospital in Mashad, Iran in 2005 [1384]. Subjects were selected in three phases 24 hours before surgery, as well as 6 and 10 weeks after surgery. Interview checklists were used for data collection. Three scales were used to measure sleep patterns Pittsburgh sleep quality index, Epworth sleepiness scale and sleep log. Quality of life was measured with 36 short form. The first two interviews were done at the hospital clinic and the last via telephone. Relevant data were analyzed in SPSS using student t-test and pearson correlation coefficient. Mean score of nocturnal sleep quality and efficiency in all three stages were undesirable. Also, mean score of sleepiness in all three stages were normal and mean score of quality of life was in the mid one-third of 0-100 scale. No significant differences were found between on-pump and off-pump groups in their sleep patterns and quality of life. In all three stages, sleep quality positively and significantly correlated with quality of life [p<0.001, p<0.002 and p=0.004 respectively]. Moreover, significant positive correlation existed between sleep efficiency and quality of life [p<0.001, p=0.002 and p=0.005 respectively]. However, no significant correlation was found to exist between sleepiness and quality of life. The findings of the present study indicated a significant and positive correlation between sleep pattern and quality of life in CABG patients. Therefore, it is necessary to restore their physical and mental health as soon as possible