Sleep disturbances, fatigue and psychological health in women with endometriosis: a matched pair case-control study

Abstract

Research question: What are the associations between endometriosis, pelvic pain symptoms, fatigue and sleep? Psychological health and quality of life in endometriosis patients with good versus bad quality of sleep were also examined.

Design: This matched pair case-control study included 123 consecutive endometriosis patients and 123 women without a history of endometriosis (matched to patients for age and body mass index). Endometriosis-related pelvic pain severity was rated on a 0-10 numerical rating scale. Fatigue was measured on a 1-5 Likert scale. Women also completed a set of self-report questionnaires for assessing sleep disturbances (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Insomnia Severity Index), psychological health (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) and quality of life (Short Form-12).

Results: Painful endometriosis had an impact on fatigue (P = 0.006; η²_p = 0.041) and sleep (P < 0.001; η²_p = 0.051). Women with painful endometriosis reported significantly greater fatigue, poorer quality of sleep, higher daytime sleepiness and more severe insomnia than women without significant pain symptoms and controls. Poorer quality of sleep among endometriosis patients was associated with greater fatigue (P < 0.001; η²_p = 0.130), poorer psychological health (P < 0.001; η²_p = 0.135), and lower quality of life (P < 0.001; η²_p = 0.240).

Conclusions: Pelvic pain (rather than endometriosis in itself) is associated with fatigue and sleep disturbances, with poor sleep having a detrimental impact on women's psychological health and quality of life.

Keywords: Endometriosis; Fatigue; Pelvic pain; Psychological health; Sleep disturbances.