Prevalence of sleep disorders among medical students and their association with poor academic performance: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Sleep quality is of paramount importance for human health. This multi-site study measures the proportion and types of self-reported sleep disorders in medical students and evaluates their association with academic performance by Grade Point Average (GPA). Materials and methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted on medical students from two medical schools in Jordan during the 2018/2019 academic year. The study utilized the SLEEP-50 questionnaire to estimate the proportion of several sleep disorders and their effects on daily functioning. Below average GPAs were considered poor academic performance. Results 1041 medical students' online surveys were analyzed from two medical schools’ campuses, representing a 29.7% response rate. Their mean age was 22 ± 2.1 years (ranging from 18 to 37) and 52.6% were female. The mean body mass index was 24.2 ± 4.4 kg/m 2 . According to the SLEEP-50 questionnaire, the prevalence of sleep disorders among studied medical students ranged from 0.6% for sleep state misperception (SSM) to 23.1% for hypersomnia. Using binary logistic regression, after adjusting for gender and obesity, poor academic performance was associated with a risk for insomnia [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.96, p < 0.001]; affective disorder [OR = 2.24, P < 0.001]; SSM [OR = 6.40, p = 0.045]; narcolepsy [OR = 9.54, p = 0.045]; and circadian rhythm disorders [OR = 2.03, p < 0.001]. Conclusion Sleep disorders are common among medical students. Several sleep disorders were associated with poor academic performance. Proper diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders may remedy this issue.

Self-Reported Obsession Toward COVID-19 Preventive Measures Among Undergraduate Medical Students During the Early Phase of Pandemic in Jordan

“…Also, the participants needed access to a smartphone/computer, which may cause a selection bias, and the response rate was low (16%). However, data completeness was very high, and the participation rate in this study is concordant with previous internet-based surveys ( 65 , 106 , 107 ). Thus, a snowball sampling recruitment method with appropriate incentives is suggested in future studies.…”

Sleep disorders and their consequences for doctors

“…The Ogińska's research demonstrated an increased risk of sleep disorders among medical students [3]. According to another study conducted among medical students in Jordan, the incidence of sleep disorders ranged from 0.6% to 23.1% [4]. In the Polish population, almost half of medical students are not satisfied with their sleep, they sleep less than 6 hours a day, with the sleep time variable and irregular [5].…”

Effects of an email delivered cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia in college students

“…College is a time of intellectual growth and development for adolescents transitioning into adulthood. Often times, students are investing a great deal of time, money, and effort into education, and to successfully get a return on the investment, students feel a need to maximize learning, academic achievement, and personal growth 3,4 . To balance academic, professional, and personal demands, students often make lifestyle changes upon entering college, including sleep.…”

“…The susceptibility to poor sleep among college students is partially due to conflicts between college, work, social demands, and individual circadian rhythms 6 . Use of electronics such as cell phones and laptops, and substances such as caffeine, alcohol, and stimulants, as well as individual stress and anxiety also contribute to poor sleep 3,4,7 . Sleepiness and sleep deprivation can have a particularly detrimental effect on college students, with impacts on learning and memory, impaired mood, increased risk of motor vehicle accidents, lower grade point averages, and increased risk of academic failure 3,4,8,9 .…”

“…Use of electronics such as cell phones and laptops, and substances such as caffeine, alcohol, and stimulants, as well as individual stress and anxiety also contribute to poor sleep 3,4,7 . Sleepiness and sleep deprivation can have a particularly detrimental effect on college students, with impacts on learning and memory, impaired mood, increased risk of motor vehicle accidents, lower grade point averages, and increased risk of academic failure 3,4,8,9 . College students with chronic insomnia often report significantly worse sleep with increased levels of depression, anxiety, stress, fatigue, and overall decreased quality of life 10 .…”