Predictors of sleep quality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma

Background: Sleep problems lead to physical and psychological health problems in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. Aims: This study aimed to determine the predictors of sleep quality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. Methods: The sample of this cross-sectional study consisted of 205 patients. Patient Information Form, State-Trait Anxiety Scale (STAS), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Asthma Sleep Scale (COPDASS), Dyspnea-12 Scale (D-12S) and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Asthma Fatigue Scale (COPDFAS) have been used for data collection. Pearson correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis have been used to analyse the data. Results: There is a weak correlation between sleep quality levels and state anxiety (r=0.175) and trait anxiety (r=0.155) levels. There is a moderate correlation between sleep quality and dyspnea (r=0.428) and fatigue (r=0.448) levels. State anxiety and trait anxiety explained 3% of the total variance, dyspnea and its sub-dimensions explained 18% and fatigue level explained 20% (p<0.05). The best model explaining the sleep quality of the patients was dyspnea and its sub-dimensions and fatigue levels, which explained 23% of the total variance. The most significant predictors were the physical sub-dimension of dyspnea (β=0.187, p=0.047) and the COPDFAS (β=0.291, p=0.000). Conclusion: The most important predictors of sleep quality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma are dyspnea and fatigue. Patients should be supported with psychological therapies and good nursing care in addition to drug treatment to reduce anxiety, dyspnea, and sleep problems.