Abstract

Background: Alteration in hormonal environment during various phases of a woman’s life contributes sleep disturbances in women. Poor sleep alters the immune system through centrally produced cytokines which is a cause of chronic lowgrade inflammation that affects synthesis of acute-phase proteins. Of the inflammatory markers, c-reactive protein (CRP) does not exhibit a diurnal variations and is more sensitive to behavioral modifications such as moderate sleep than other circulatory cytokines.

Aims and Objective: The objective of this study is to know the relationship between sleep quality and levels of CRP in women of reproductive age.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in sleep disorder clinic and laboratory of S.C.B. Medical College, Cuttack, Odisha, India. 60 women of reproductive age (15–49) had participated. Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) questionnaire was used to evaluate the sleep quality. CRP level was determined photometrically from venous blood.

Results: Among the subjects with poor sleep quality (PSQI >5), 75% had raised CRP level. CRP level was significantly increased as the scores of subjective sleep quality and sleep latency increase. Sleep quality and CRP level were positively correlated.

Conclusion: CRP level is increased in women with poor sleep qualities. CRP level increases as subjective sleep quality and sleep latency become worse. Sleep quality and CRP level are positively correlated.

Key words: C-Reactive Protein; Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; Reproductive Age; Sleep Quality