Self-Reported Sleep Latency in Postmenopausal Women

Abstract

The ain of this study was to access how self-reported sleep latency (SRSL) was affected by sleep habits, mood, and circadian rhythm in postmenopausal women. Subjects (n=384, 67.9±7.7 yr) completed sleep and mood questionnaires, sleep log and actigraphic data. The major urinary melatonin metabolite (6-sulphatoxymelatonin, aMT6s) was assayed in fractional urine specimens for two 24-hr intervals. Although SRSL (26.5±24.4 min) and actigraphic sleep latency (ASL; 27.8±20.0 min) were correlated (rs=0.361, p<0.001), the short SRSLs tended to be underestimated whereas the long SRSLs tended to be overestimated as compared to ASL. SRSL was positively correlated with the scales of insomnia, mood and hot flash, hypertension, use of anti-hypertensive drugs and the acrophase and the offset of aMT6s. SRSL was negatively correlated with the global assessment of functioning scale in DSM-IV (GAF scale), and light exposure and wrist activity. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the best-fit model to predict SRSL was light exposure, GAF scale, and use of anti-hypertensive drugs. SRSL may be determined by psychophysiological factors as well as circadian rhythm function. Therapeutic approaches suggested for trouble falling asleep might include increased daylight exposure, improvements in general health, and modification of anti-hypertensive pharmacotherapy.

Daylight and health: A review of the evidence and consequences for the built environment

“…6-sulphatoxymelatonin is the metabolic end product of the hormone melatonin. Three other studies [26][27][28] did not mention the light levels in their methodology section either. They investigated health-related quality of life, self-reported sleep latency and (risk for) depression, respectively.…”

Sleep and menopause

“…More recently, Park et al [8] examined sleep, mood, melatonin, light, and wrist activity in 384 postmenopausal women. Self-reported sleep latency was positively correlated with insomnia, mood disturbance, hot fl ashes, hypertension, use of antihypertensive medication, and melatonin acrophase and offset and was negatively associated with global assessment of functioning, light exposure, and wrist activity.…”

Relationship of sleep alterations with perimenopausal and postmenopausal symptoms

“…2<4 Sleep disturbance is a common important complaint of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. 6 Internal and environmental factors influence women's sleep quality and quantity. 3 The severity of sleep disturbances has been reported to increase during perimenopause and early postmenopause.…”