Sleep quality, fatigue, and related factors among perimenopausal women in Taipei City.

Sleep disturbances and fatigue are two of the most common complaints in perimenopausal women. The purpose of this study was to explore sleep quality, fatigue, and related factors among perimenopausal women. A cross-sectional correlation survey was conducted. Data were collected through purposive sampling conducted from January to April 2008 at gynecological clinics and perimenopausal support groups in Taipei City. Informed consent was obtained from patients. Eighty-five women with a mean age of 52.73 years were recruited. The total score for sleep quality was 7.71 ± 4.66, and 62.4% of women were identified as poor sleepers. The mean score of perimenopausal fatigue was 3.02 ± 2.41, indicating mild fatigue. Results showed that the quality of sleep among perimenopausal women was significantly affected by factors including long-term drug use, hormone and/or nutritional supplement consumption, perimenopausal status, and tendency toward anxiety and/or depression (t = 5.43, p < .01; t = -3.15, p < .01; t = -3.33, p < .001; F = 4.33, p < .05; F = 20.20 and 12.73, p < .001.). Fatigue and perimenopausal disturbances were related to sleep quality (r = .63 and .61, p < .01), and 43% of sleep quality variance was explained by fatigue and depression. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: It is crucial to assess sleep quality in perimenopausal women who complain of fatigue and/or depression. In addition, health providers should integrate assessments of factors of significant influence on the sleep quality of perimenopausal women (e.g., fatigue; long-term drug, hormone, and/or nutritional supplements use; menopausal status, and tendency toward anxiety and/or depression).