SLEEP IN SCHIZOPHRENIA: A PRELIMINARY STUDY USING THE PITTSBURGH SLEEP QUALITY INDEX

Abstract

Summary Schizophrenia is related to changes in the architecture of sleep evaluated with polysomnography. Our purpose is to evaluate the sleep quality of schizophrenic people, comparing a schizophrenic group with a control group, and to investigate the effect of these factors. Material and methods: We evaluated 44 patients, 32 men and 12 women, comparing them with 44 healthy people. Both groups were questioned using the Spanish version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Results: Sleep quality in schizophrenics is damaged; they spend more time in bed than controls of the same age do and they sleep longer. These factors could represent an attempt to compensate for the deficit in slow wave sleep. Conclusion: Sleep quality in schizophrenic people is damaged. Thus, sleep quality profile could be a risk marker for this illness.