Qom University of Medical Sciences Journal

Background and Objectives: Sleep problems negatively impact on quality of life . In this study, sleep quality, sleep disorders, daytime sleepiness and their associated factors were evaluated in systolic heart failure patients.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 male patients with systolic heart failure. Simple sampling method was used for data collection. Data were collected using Epworth sleepiness scale questionnaire, sleep disorder index, and the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI). Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficient using SPSS software, significance level was considered as p<0.05.

Results: In this study, the mean PSQI score was 13.24 ±3.14 and 100% of patients had PSQI score>6. 53% had mild daytime sleepiness. The most common sleep problems were insomnia and sleep apnea. There were statistically significant relationships between sleep quality and age (p=0.030), education (p=0.004), smoking (p=0.048) and between sleep disorders and income (p=0.012), body mass index (p=0.028), education (p=0.019), smoking (p=0.050), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (p=0.035), consumption of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (p=0.009), and angiotensin receptor blockers (p=0.016).

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that sleep problems are common in heart failure patients. Weight loss, smoking cessation, control and treatment of chronic diseases, and control of drugs side effects could help to decrease sleep problems in heart failure patients.