Association of sleep quality and free time leisure activities in Japanese and British civil servants

Sex-related differential item functioning of the Jenkins Sleep Scale: a cross-sectional study among 77 967 employees in the Finnish public sector

OBJECTIVES

To investigate if the Jenkins Sleep Scale (JSS) demonstrates sex-related differential item functioning (DIF).

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Survey data from the Finnish Public Sector study (2015-2017).

PARTICIPANTS

77 967 employees in the Finnish public sector, with a mean age of 51.9 (SD 13.1) years and 82% women.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Item response theory estimates: difficulty and discrimination parameters of the JSS and differences in these parameters between men and women.

RESULTS

The mean JSS total score was 6.4 (4.8) points. For all four items of the JSS, the difficulty parameter demonstrated a slight shift towards underestimation of the severity of sleep difficulties. The discrimination ability of all four items was moderate to high. For the JSS composite score, overall discrimination ability was moderate (0.98, 95% CI 0.97 to 0.99). Mild uniform DIF (p<0.001) was seen: two items showed better discrimination ability among men and two others among women.

CONCLUSIONS

The JSS showed overall good psychometric properties among this healthy population of employees in the Finnish public sector. The JSS was able to discriminate people with different severities of sleep disturbances. However, when using the JSS, the respondents might slightly underestimate the severity of these disturbances. While the JSS may produce slightly different results when answered by men and women, these sex-related differences are probably negligible when applied to clinical situations.

Associations of Leisure Activities and Sleep Duration with Cognitive Function: A Nationwide Prospective Cohort Study of Chinese Old Adults

BACKGROUND

Leisure activities and sleep duration are correlated and have been linked to cognitive function, but most studies have examined only one of these factors.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the independent and joint associations of leisure activities and sleep duration with cognitive function among older adults.

METHODS

We included 7,796 participants aged≥65 years from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey during 2008-2018 (waves 5-8). Self-reported leisure activities and sleep duration were assessed at baseline, and cognitive function was measured repeatedly using the Chinese version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) at baseline and during follow-up. We used linear mixed models to estimate regression coefficients (β) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS

The median follow-up duration was 5.77 years. After adjusting for each other and potential confounders, both lower leisure activity score (each 1-point decrease β= -0.33, 95% CI: -0.36 to -0.30) and longer sleep duration (each 1-hour increase β= -0.17, 95% CI: -0.22 to -0.11) were independently associated with lower MMSE score. Furthermore, we observed an additive interaction between leisure activities and sleep duration (pinteraction < 0.001). A combination of low leisure activity score and long sleep duration was strongly associated with decreased MMSE score (β= -2.51, 95% CI: -2.85 to -2.16) compared with the group with combined high leisure activity score and normal sleep duration.

CONCLUSION

Both leisure activities and sleep duration were independently associated with cognitive function. Moreover, the combination of leisure inactivity and prolonged sleep duration predicted worse cognitive function (a preclinical hallmark of Alzheimer's disease) in an additive manner.

Association between leisure activities and sleep disturbances among children with and without cerebral palsy

Background/Aims

Sleep disturbances are common among children with cerebral palsy, resulting in adverse consequences. Investigating the association between leisure activities and sleep disturbances could help to develop ways to promote their sleep quality. This study primarily aimed to investigate the association between leisure activities and sleep disturbances among children with and without cerebral palsy. The secondary aim was to study the prevalence of sleep disturbances and some of its associated factors.

Methods

A total of 75 children with cerebral palsy (study group) (mean age 10.0 ± 2.5 years) and 75 typically developing children (control group) (mean age 10.5 ± 2.9 years) were randomly selected to completed the Children's Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment. Sleep disturbances were assessed using the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children. Factors associated with sleep disturbances (age, gender, school attendance, bedroom sharing, type of cerebral palsy, motor functions, eating and drinking ability and communication functions) were statistically analysed and the prevalence of sleep disturbances was calculated.

Results

Overall frequency of leisure participation was strongly correlated with overall sleep disturbances (P<0.001) among both groups. The prevalence of overall sleep disturbances was 17.1% and 10.6% among the study and the control groups respectively. Eating and drinking ability and spastic quadriplegia emerged as the strongest predictors of overall negative scores on the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children.

Conclusions

Greater participation in leisure activities is associated with better sleep. Occupational therapists are encouraged to consider this association when planning for occupation-based interventions aimed at enhancing occupational performance.

Internal consistency and factor structure of Jenkins Sleep Scale: cross-sectional cohort study among 80 000 adults

OBJECTIVES

To assess the internal consistency and construct validity of the Finnish translation of the Jenkins Sleep Scale (JSS) in a large healthy working-age population with diverse work characteristics.

DESIGN

Survey-based cross-sectional cohort study.

SETTING

Survey conducted by an institute of occupational health.

PARTICIPANTS

Employees of 10 towns and 6 hospital districts.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

The internal consistency defined by a Cronbach's alpha. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to evaluate the construct structure of the JSS.

RESULTS

Of 81 136 respondents, 14 890 (18%) were men and 66 246 (82%) were women. Their average age was 52.1 (13.2) years. Of the respondents, 41 823 (52%) were sleeping 7 or less hours per night. The mean JSS total score was 6.4 (4.8) points. The JSS demonstrated high internal consistency with an alpha of 0.80 (lower 95% confidence limit 0.80). Exploratory factor analysis supported a one-factor solution with eigenvalue of 1.94. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that all four items were positively correlated with a single common factor explaining 44%-61% of common factor's variance.

CONCLUSIONS

The Finnish translation of JSS was found to be a unidimensional scale with good internal consistency. As such, the scale may be recommended as a practicable questionnaire when studying sleep difficulties in a healthy working-age population.

Leisure activity participation and risk of dementia: An 18-year follow-up of the Whitehall II Study

OBJECTIVE

To test the hypothesis that leisure activity participation is associated with lower dementia risk, we examined the association between participation in leisure activities and incident dementia in a large longitudinal study with average 18-year follow-up.

METHODS

We used data from 8,280 participants of the Whitehall II prospective cohort study. A 13-item scale assessed leisure activity participation in 1997-1999, 2002-2004, and 2007-2009, and incidence of dementia (n cases = 360, mean age at diagnosis 76.2 years, incidence rate 2.4 per 1,000 person-years) was ascertained from 3 comprehensive national registers with follow-up until March 2017. Primary analyses were based on complete cases (n = 6,050, n cases = 247) and sensitivity analyses used multiple imputation for missing data.

RESULTS

Participation in leisure activities at mean age 55.8 (1997-1999 assessment), with 18.0-year follow-up, was not associated with dementia (hazard ratio [HR] 0.92 [95% confidence interval 0.79-1.06]), but those with higher participation at mean age 65.7 (2007-2009 assessment) were less likely to develop dementia with 8.3-year follow-up (HR 0.82 [0.69-0.98]). No specific type of leisure activity was consistently associated with dementia risk. Decline in participation between 1997-1999 and 2007-2009 was associated with subsequent dementia risk.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that participation in leisure activities declines in the preclinical phase of dementia; there was no robust evidence for a protective association between leisure activity participation and dementia. Future research should investigate the sociobehavioral, cognitive, and neurobiological drivers of decline in leisure activity participation to determine potential approaches to improving social participation of those developing dementia.

A Systematic Review of Instruments for the Assessment of Insomnia in Adults

INTRODUCTION

Self-reported sleep instruments remain the most practical methods for the assessment of insomnia in clinical practice. This systematic review aims to identify, describe and summarize the psychometric properties of questionnaires available for the assessment of insomnia in the adult population. In addition, the review also aimed to identify sleep instruments available in the Arabic language.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted using the following electronic databases: PubMed, EMBASE, ProQuest Central, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar. The quality assessment of the instruments was conducted using two established international criteria.

RESULTS

One hundred and seven articles were selected for inclusion, from which 31 instruments were identified and categorized based on the constructs they assess as: (1) screening for insomnia (n=14); (2) measuring the consequences of insomnia (n=8); (3) assessing the cognitive aspects of insomnia (n= 5); and (4) assessing sleep hygiene (n= 4). The review of the psychometric properties showed that the Insomnia Severity Index and the Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire were the most extensively evaluated instrument. Criterion validity and reliability measures were the most commonly reported properties. Only four of the identified instruments were available in Arabic.

DISCUSSION

Overall, the findings of this study indicate ample availability of sleep instruments. However, psychometric testing for several of the available sleep instruments remains incomplete, particularly responsiveness and interpretability. Our findings suggest that future studies should focus on reporting more psychometric measures to ensure the trustworthiness of these instruments.

Associations Between Activities Outside Work and Presenteeism Among Korean Wage Workers: An Analysis Using a Nationwide Survey

Objectives

Presenteeism is currently recognized as a significant global health issue that can potentially cause productivity losses. Hence, many studies have analyzed the relationships between workplace factors and presenteeism. However, few studies have considered non-occupational factors. This study examined the associations between presenteeism and activities outside work, including volunteering, self-development, leisure/sports, and gardening and house repair activities, in Korean wage workers.

Methods

This study analyzed the fourth Korean Working Conditions Survey, in which a total of 19 294 wage workers participated. To identify relationships between presenteeism and activities outside work, multivariate logistic regression analysis was used after adjusting for general and occupational characteristics.

Results

Self-development and leisure/sports activities significantly increased the odds ratio (OR) of presenteeism (OR, 1.166; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.061 to 1.282 and OR, 1.276; 95% CI, 1.181 to 1.379, respectively).

Conclusions

Certain activities outside work, such as self-development or leisure/sports, were related to presenteeism among Korean wage workers. Although many previous studies have emphasized the positive effects of those activities on health, this study documented negative effects of these activities outside work on health.

Social capital and health in China: exploring the mediating role of lifestyle

Background

Although social capital as a key determinant of health has been well established in various studies, little is known about how lifestyle factors mediate this relationship. Understanding the cross-relationships between social capital, health, and lifestyle factors is important if health promotion policies are to be effective. The purpose of this study is to explore whether different dimensions of social capital and lifestyle factors are related, and whether lifestyle factors mediate the association between social capital and self-rated health (SRH) and psychological well-being (PWB) in China.

Methods

This study used nationally representative data from the 2014 China Family Panel Studies (n = 28,916). The data reported on three dimensions of individual-level social capital: social trust, social relationship and Chinese Communist Party (CCP) membership. Health was assessed using SRH and PWB. Five lifestyle indicators were recorded: healthy diet, physical activity, smoking, sleeping, and non-overweight status. Logistic regression was used to examine the associations between social capital and lifestyle factors, and whether there was a mediating role of lifestyle. Odds ratios relating health status to social capital were reported before and after adjustment for lifestyle factors. Mediation analysis was then used to calculate the total, direct and indirect effects of social capital on SRH and PWB.

Results

The results show that social trust was significantly associated with all five lifestyle factors. Social relationship was significantly associated with four of the five: healthy diet, physical activity, sleeping and non-overweight. CCP membership was only significantly associated with two lifestyle factors: physical activity and non-overweight. Social trust and social relationship were significantly related to both SRH and PWB. CCP membership was only significantly related to SRH. Mediation analysis found modest evidence that lifestyle factors influenced the relationship between all three types of social capital and SRH. In contrast, only social trust and social relationship, but not CCP membership, were mediated by lifestyle factors with respect to PWB.

Conclusions

This study is the first to explore the mediating role of lifestyle factors in the relationship between social capital and health in China. The overall findings suggest that lifestyle factors modestly mediate the association between social capital and health. The degree of mediating effect varies across different dimensions of social capital. Social capital-based health promotion policies would benefit from taking lifestyle factors into account.

The Validity and Reliability of Turkish Version of the Jenkins Sleep Evaluation Scale in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objectives

This study aims to assess the validity and reliability of the Jenkins Sleep Evaluation Scale (JSS) when applied to a Turkish population with rheumatoid arthritis.

Patients and methods

The Turkish version of JSS (JSS-TR) was obtained after translation from English into Turkish, according to standard guidelines. The study included 61 patients of rheumatoid arthritis (13 males, 48 females; mean age 50.5 years; range 19 to 72 years) as defined by the American College of Rheumatology 2010 criteria. The internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) was assessed for reliability. Content and construct validity (convergent and divergent validities) were evaluated. The relationships between the JSS-TR and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue scale, subgroups of the Nottingham Health Profile, and the Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire were assessed for convergent validity. In addition, the relationships between the JSS-TR and age, disease duration, visual analog scale patient global score, and disease activity score 28 were assessed for divergent validity.

Results

The Cronbach's alpha of JSS-TR was 0.80. All questions and the answer choices for the scale were understood well and related to some dimension of sleep demonstrating good content validity. The JSS-TR had good correlations with functional parameters (which are convergent), and poor or insignificant correlations with non-functional parameters (which are divergent). This implies that the JSS-TR had good construct validity in the context of this study. Overall, the JSS-TR had the best correlation with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient=0.76).

Conclusion

The JSS-TR is a valid and reliable instrument. It is a simple and effective tool which can be used to evaluate sleep disturbances in rheumatoid arthritis patients in both daily practice and clinical research.

Relationship of activities outside work to sleep and depression/anxiety disorders in Korean workers: the 4th Korean working condition survey

BACKGROUND

Sleep disorders and depression/anxiety disorders are long-standing and significant problem for mental health. Also there are already known so many negative health effect of these disorders. But there were few studies to examine the association between activities outside work and forementioned disorders. So this study aimed the association of those things by using the Republic of Korean data.

METHODS

Data from 32,232 wage workers were used in the 4th Korean Working Condition Survey. General and occupational characteristics, sleep disorders, depression/anxiety disorders and activities outside work are included in questionnaire. To find the relationship between activities outside work and sleep, depression/anxiety disorders, multivariate logistic regression analysis was used after adjusting for general and occupational characteristics.

RESULTS

We observed that volunteer activities increased the odds ratio of both sleep disorders and depression/anxiety disorders(Odds ratio[OR] = 1.35, 95% confidence interval[CI]: 1.03-1.78 and OR = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.29-1.84, respectively). And self-development activities increase the odds ratio of sleep disorders(OR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.17-1.57). Gardening activities lowered the odds ratio of depression/anxiety disorders(OR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.59-0.94).

CONCLUSION

Some of activities outside work were related to sleep disorders and depression/anxiety disorders among Korean wage workers. Our results showed negative health effect of some kinds of activities outside work such as volunteering and self-devlopment compared to other studies that emphasized positive effect of those activities for health.

Musculoskeletal pain and co-morbid insomnia in adults; a population study of the prevalence and impact on restricted social participation

Background

Comorbidity is common in patients consulting in primary care. Musculoskeletal pain and insomnia each increase the risk of the other. Co-occurrence may pose an increased burden on well-being. However, the prevalence and impact of co-existing pain and insomnia in adults living in the community who may present to primary care is unclear. The aim of this study was to report the prevalence of pain and insomnia in adults registered with primary care, and to examine the impact of co-occurrence on social activities.

Methods

This population-based prospective cohort study of adults aged ≥18 years (n = 1181) used health survey data collected via baseline and 12 month follow-up questionnaires. Baseline data on pain, insomnia (4 symptoms: delayed sleep onset, difficulty maintaining sleep, early waking and non-restorative sleep) and putative confounders and social activity restriction at follow up was collected. Associations between baseline pain, insomnia and restricted social activities (RSA) at 12 months were examined using logistic regression, with adjustment for confounders. Interaction terms between pain and each insomnia symptom were examined in final models.

Results

Mean respondent age was 49.6 (SD ± 15.2) years, 55.7% were female. At baseline, 880 (74.5%) reported pain, 122 (10.3%) delayed sleep onset, 298 (25.2%) difficulty maintaining sleep, 188 (15.9%) early wakening, and 215 (18.2%) reported non-restorative sleep. At follow-up 200 (16.9%) reported RSA. Pain and each insomnia symptom were associated with RSA at 12 month follow-up; pain [unadjusted odds ratio (OR:2.3;95%CI:1.5,3.5), delayed sleep onset (OR:6.1;95%CI:4.0,9.1), difficulty maintaining sleep (OR:3.2;95%CI:2.3,4.4), early wakening (OR:4.1;95%CI:2.9,5.9), and non-restorative sleep (OR:4.0; 95%CI:2.8,5.8). Only delayed sleep onset (OR:2.6;95%C:1.5,4.5) remained significantly associated with restricted social activities in the fully adjusted model. There was a significant interaction between pain and delayed sleep onset (OR:0.3;95%CI:0.1,0.99; p = .049) and restricted social activity at 12 months in the final multivariable model.

Conclusions

Pain and insomnia commonly co-occur, resulting in greater impact upon subsequent functional ability. Delayed sleep onset is the insomnia symptom most strongly associated with reduced functional ability. Clinicians should be aware of the common co-occurrence of insomnia symptoms, inquire about sleep in patients consulting with pain, and offer interventions that target both sleep and pain.

Social capital, health behaviours and health: a population-based associational study

Background

Social capital is associated with health behaviours and health. Our objective was to explore how different dimensions of social capital and health-related behaviours are associated, and whether health behaviours mediate this association between social capital and self-rated health and psychological well-being.

Methods

We used data from the Health 2000 Survey (n=8028) of the adult population in Finland. The response rate varied between 87% (interview) and 77% (the last self-administered questionnaire). Due to item non-response, missing values were replaced using multiple imputation. The associations between three dimensions of social capital (social support, social participation and networks, trust and reciprocity) and five health behaviours (smoking, alcohol use, physical activity, vegetable consumption, sleep) were examined by using logistic regression and controlling for age, gender, education, income and living arrangements. The possible mediating role of health behaviours in the association between social capital and self-rated health and psychological well-being was also analysed with a logistic regression model.

Results

Social participation and networks were associated with all of the health behaviours. High levels of trust and reciprocity were associated with non-smoking and adequate duration of sleep, and high levels of social support with adequate duration of sleep and daily consumption of vegetables. Social support and trust and reciprocity were independently associated with self-rated health and psychological well-being. Part of the association between social participation and networks and health was explained by physical activity.

Conclusions

Irrespective of their social status, people with higher levels of social capital – especially in terms of social participation and networks – engage in healthier behaviours and feel healthier both physically and psychologically.

Social capital, health behaviours and health: a population-based associational study

BACKGROUND

Social capital is associated with health behaviours and health. Our objective was to explore how different dimensions of social capital and health-related behaviours are associated, and whether health behaviours mediate this association between social capital and self-rated health and psychological well-being.

METHODS

We used data from the Health 2000 Survey (n=8028) of the adult population in Finland. The response rate varied between 87% (interview) and 77% (the last self-administered questionnaire). Due to item non-response, missing values were replaced using multiple imputation. The associations between three dimensions of social capital (social support, social participation and networks, trust and reciprocity) and five health behaviours (smoking, alcohol use, physical activity, vegetable consumption, sleep) were examined by using logistic regression and controlling for age, gender, education, income and living arrangements. The possible mediating role of health behaviours in the association between social capital and self-rated health and psychological well-being was also analysed with a logistic regression model.

RESULTS

Social participation and networks were associated with all of the health behaviours. High levels of trust and reciprocity were associated with non-smoking and adequate duration of sleep, and high levels of social support with adequate duration of sleep and daily consumption of vegetables. Social support and trust and reciprocity were independently associated with self-rated health and psychological well-being. Part of the association between social participation and networks and health was explained by physical activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Irrespective of their social status, people with higher levels of social capital - especially in terms of social participation and networks - engage in healthier behaviours and feel healthier both physically and psychologically.

Comparisons of the sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and sleep cognitions of Caucasian Australians and Zimbabwean and Ghanaian black immigrants

Studying sleep differences across different ethnic groups is not only important for our understanding of sleep but may lead to the development of new, culturally appropriate interventions. Perceptions of sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and sleep cognitions (beliefs and attitudes) were investigated in a community sample of Caucasian Australians and Black immigrants currently resident in Australia from Zimbabwe (Black Zimbabwean) and Ghana (Black Ghanaian). A sample of a total of 176 participants including Caucasian Australian ( n = 58), Black Zimbabwean ( n = 59), and Black Ghanaian ( n = 59), aged between 18 and 60 years was surveyed. Groups were matched on age and gender, with a strong predominance of professional occupations in all groups in the final sample and no significant socio-economic status differences between groups. Participants completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep, and the Short Form-36 Health Survey. After matching participants on age, gender, and socio-economic status, no statistically significant group differences were found on sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and physical health. However, significant group differences were found on beliefs and attitudes about sleep with Black Zimbabwean and Black Ghanaian participants, attributing sleep difficulties more to physical than psychological phenomena compared to Caucasian Australian participants.

Mental and physical workload, salivary stress biomarkers and taste perception: Mars desert research station expedition

Background:

Very few studies have been conducted on the effects of simulation of Mars conditions on taste.

Aims:

This study was planned to find the effects of physical and mental workload on taste sensitivity and salivary stress biomarkers.

Materials and Methods:

Twelve crew members were selected. Taste reactions and intensity of the taste sensations to quinine sulfate, citric acid, and sucrose were tested before and after mental and physical tasks for one hour. Also, psychological mood states by profile of mood state, salivary, salivary alpha amylase and cortisol, and current stress test scores were measured before and after mental and physical tasks.

Results:

Average time intensity evaluation showed that after the mental and physical tasks, the perceived duration of bitter, sour, and sweet taste sensations was significantly shortened relative to control group. There were good correlations between average time intensity of sweetness, bitterness, sourness and cortisol levels.

Conclusions:

Taste alterations due to stress can have an effect on the health and confidence of astronauts in long- term space missions. Thus, this issue remains one of the important issues for future human explorations.

Golimumab reduces sleep disturbance in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis: results from a randomized, placebo-controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of golimumab on sleep disturbance in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

METHODS

Golimumab was studied in a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled study (GO-RAISE). At baseline, 356 patients were randomly assigned in a 1.8:1.8:1 ratio to subcutaneous golimumab 50 mg, 100 mg, or placebo every 4 weeks. Sleep disturbance was assessed using the Jenkins Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire (JSEQ), which was administered at baseline, week 14, and week 24. Treatment effect was evaluated using analysis of variance on the van der Waerden normal scores.

RESULTS

Median JSEQ scores at baseline were 9.0 in the placebo group, 10.0 in the 50-mg group, and 11.0 in the 100-mg group, indicating moderate to severe sleep disturbance. Patients who received golimumab showed significantly greater median improvement from baseline in JSEQ scores compared with placebo at week 14 (-3.0 versus 0.0; P < 0.001) and week 24 (-3.0 versus -1.0; P < 0.001). Changes from baseline in JSEQ scores significantly correlated with changes from baseline in Short Form 36 summary scores, Bath AS Functional Index scores, total back pain, night back pain, and Bath AS Disease Activity Index scores. Multiple regression analyses indicated that improvement in the night back pain score was the most consistent predictor of change in JSEQ score or reduction in sleep disturbance.

CONCLUSION

Patients with active AS showed significant sleep disturbance at baseline due to underlying pain associated with AS. Treatment with subcutaneous golimumab every 4 weeks significantly reduced sleep disturbance and improved health-related quality of life.

Treat the source not the symptoms: why thinking about sleep informs the social determinants of health

Based on theoretical and empirical work, we argue that autonomy is likely an important underlying source of healthy sleep. The implication is that 'treatment' for sleep problems cannot be understood as an individual-level behavioral problem but must instead be addressed in concert with larger scale social factors that may be inhibiting high-quality sufficient sleep in large segments of the population. When sleep is understood as a proxy for health, the implications extend even further. Policies and interventions that facilitate the autonomy of individuals therefore may not only help reduce individual sleep problems but also have broader consequences for ameliorating social disparities in health.

Sleep complaints in middle-aged women and men: the contribution of working conditions and work-family conflicts

This study aimed to examine how physical working conditions, psychosocial working conditions and work-family conflicts are associated with sleep complaints, and whether health behaviours explain these associations. We used pooled postal questionnaire surveys collected in 2001-2002 among 40-60-year-old employees of the City of Helsinki (n = 5819, response rate 66%). Participants were classified as having sleep complaints if they reported sleep complaints at least once a week on average (24% of women and 20% of men). Independent variables included environmental work exposures, physical workload, computer work, Karasek's job strain and work-family conflicts. Age, marital status, occupational class, work arrangements, health behaviours and obesity were adjusted for. Most working conditions were associated strongly with sleep complaints after adjustment for age only. After adjustment for work-family conflicts, the associations somewhat attenuated. Work-family conflicts were also associated strongly with women's [odds ratio (OR) 5.90; confidence interval (CI) 4.16-8.38] and men's sleep (OR 2.56; CI 1.34-4.87). The associations remained robust even after controlling for unhealthy behaviours, obesity, health status, depression and medications. Physically strenuous working conditions, psychosocial job strain and work-family conflicts may increase sleep complaints. Efforts to support employees to cope with psychosocial stress and reach a better balance between paid work and family life might reduce sleep complaints. Sleep complaints need to be taken into account in worksite health promotion and occupational health care in order to reduce the burden of poor sleep.

Psychosocial profile in men and women with unexplained chest pain

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to compare men and women with unexplained chest pain (UCP) to a randomly selected population sample free of clinical heart disease with regard to sleep problems, mental strain at work, stress at home, negative life events and health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

DESIGN AND SUBJECTS

The study was conducted at a university hospital in Sweden including 231 patients aged 25-69 without any organic cause for chest pain. As a reference group, 1069 participants, were recruited from the INTERGENE population-based study.

RESULTS

Patients with UCP had more sleep problems (OR = 1.8, P < 0.0001), were almost three times more worried about stress at work (OR = 2.9, P < 0.0001), or had more stress at home (OR = 2.8, P < 0.0001), and were twice as likely to have negative life events (OR = 2.1, P < 0.0001). Women, but not men, with UCP, had a higher prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors (obesity, smoking, diabetes and hypertension) compared with references. With regard to HRQOL, UCP patients scored significantly lower than references in all dimensions of the SF-36.

CONCLUSIONS

In comparison with a healthy reference group, patients with UCP reported more sleep problems, mental strain at work, stress at home and negative life events and had lower health-related quality of life. Aside from immigration the strongest independent psychosocial factors were mental strain at work and negative life events last year in men and stress at home in women.

Coping strategies, stress, physical activity and sleep in patients with unexplained chest pain

Background

The number of patients suffering from unexplained chest pain (UCP) is increasing. Intervention programmes are needed to reduce the chest pain and suffering experienced by these patients and effective preventive strategies are also required to reduce the incidence of these symptoms. The aim of this study was to describe general coping strategies in patients with UCP and examine the relationships between coping strategies, negative life events, sleep problems, physical activity, stress and chest pain intensity.

Method

The sample consisted of 179 patients younger than 70 years of age, who were evaluated for chest pain at the emergency department daytime Monday through Friday and judged by a physician to have no organic cause for their chest pain. The study had a cross-sectional design.

Results

Emotive coping was related to chest pain intensity (r = 0.17, p = 0.02). Women used emotive coping to a greater extent than did men (p = 0.05). In the multivariate analysis was shown that physical activity decreased emotive coping (OR 0.13, p < 0.0001) while sex, age, sleep, mental strain at work and negative life events increased emotive coping. Twenty-seven percent of the patients had sleep problems 8 to14 nights per month or more. Permanent stress at work during the last year was reported by 18% of the patients and stress at home by 7%. Thirty-five percent of the patients were worried often or almost all the time about being rushed at work and 23% were worried about being unable to keep up with their workload. Concerning total life events, 20% reported that a close relative had had a serious illness and 27% had reasons to be worried about a close relative.

Conclusion

Our results indicated that patients with more intense UCP more often apply emotive coping in dealing with their pain. Given that emotive coping was also found to be related to disturbed sleep, negative life events, mental strain at work and physical activity, it may be of value to help these patients to both verbalise their emotions and to become cognizant of the influence of such factors on their pain experience.