Are chronotype and subjective sleep quality associated with preeclampsia and preterm birth?

Abstract

The physiological and physical changes in pregnancy affect the sleep–wake cycle. Limited data exist to evaluate the effect of sleep quality and chronotype during pregnancy on adverse pregnancy outcomes. It is hypothesized that there could be a tendency for the evening chronotype and sleep disturbances to lead to the development of preeclampsia and preterm birth. A total of 313 pregnant women were included. Women were divided into three groups: Group A (control – problem-free), Group B (preeclampsia) and Group C (preterm birth). There were significant differences in the mean PSQI score between the groups (A vs C and A vs B) (p < 0.01). Women in the preterm and the preeclampsia groups reported significantly worse sleep quality. There was a significant difference in the mean MEQ scores between groups (A vs C and A vs B) (p < 0.01). The ratio of the evening-types was significantly higher for the preterm and preeclampsia groups (p < 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that there is a negative association between preeclampsia/preterm birth and MEQ score, positive association between preeclampsia/preterm birth and PSQI score. Chronotype and sleep quality measurements could provide a simple and feasible way in the prediction of adverse pregnancy outcomes.