title: Sleep problems and fatigue in chronically ill women.
abstract: The objective of this study was to understand the quality and quantity of sleep in women with multiple sclerosis (MS) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA), who also had young children, and how their sleep behaviors were associated with their fatigue. A cross-sectional sample of mothers with MS and RA and a well comparison group completed mailed surveys. Participants included 103 mothers with MS, 68 mothers with RA, and 91 well mothers. Mothers answered questions about their sleep, fatigue, pain, and depression. Women with chronic illnesses reported more problems going to sleep than did well women, with pain, depression, or both as significant covariates. Women with chronic illnesses reported that their sleep was interrupted less often by their children than did well women. Sleep quality and quantity were worse for women with RA who were experiencing a flare. Mothers with chronic illnesses experienced more sleep problems, which was associated with their pain and depression.
authors: Department of Child Development and Family Relations, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858-4353, USA. whitec@ecu.edu
authors: Carmel
authors: C
authors: Parker White
authors: Mark B
authors: MB
authors: White
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D005221:Fatigue / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D010146:Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D057566:Self Report; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D016387:Women's Health