English abstract
Objectives: Despite the fact that sleep disturbances have been associated with poor
maternal and neonatal health outcomes in pregnancy, no studies have assessed excessive
daytime sleepiness or the risk for sleep apnea among pregnant Saudi Arabian women. We
sought to estimate the prevalence of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and the high risk
for sleep apnea (OSA) in a sample of pregnant Saudi women. Methods: An anonymous
self-report questionnaire was completed by 517 pregnant women who attended obstetric
outpatient clinics at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for a routine
pregnancy check. We collected demographic and clinical data for all patients and used
the Berlin Questionnaire and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale to determine the primary
outcomes. Results: A high risk of OSA was found in 37.1% of women (95% confidence
interval (CI): 33.00%–41.50%), and EDS was found in 32.1% (95% CI: 28.10%–
36.30%). The presence of both (EDS and a high risk of OSA) was found in 14.9% of
women (95% CI: 11.90%–18.30%). We found increased odds of EDS in women who
reported pain three times or more per week (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.59) and
insomnia (aOR = 1.65). Older women (≥ 37 years) (aOR = 3.00), those who reported
pain once a week (aOR = 1.99), pain twice a week (aOR = 2.75), three times or more
a week (aOR = 2.57), and insomnia (aOR = 1.95) increased the odds of high risk for
OSA. Conclusions: EDS and a high risk for OSA affected a large portion of the pregnant
women included in the study, primarily those who reported pain and insomnia. Our
study provides important information for gynecologists to help promote healthy sleep
and manage the issues arising from sleep disturbances among pregnant women as part
of their daily practice.
