Stress and depressive symptoms related excessive daytime sleepiness in Thai medical students, Srinakharinwirot University (อาการแสดงของความเครียดและอารมณ์ซึมเศร้าที่สัมพันธ์กับความง่วงมากกว่าปกติในนิสิต คณะแพทยศาสตร์ มหาวิทยาลัยศรีนครินทรวิโรฒ)

Abstract

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is a common sleep disorder in general population which can lead to serious consequences including traffic and industrial accidents, decreased productivity, and interpersonal problems. Besides sleepiness, EDS is also related to depression and stress. The objective of this study was to determine the symptoms of stress and depression in medical students that associated to excessive daytime sleepiness. Cross-sectional study was performed. The questionnaires which composed of the diagnostic screening test for depression in Thai population: Health-Related Self-Reported (HRSR) Scale, Suanprung stress test and Epworth sleepiness scale were sent to 646 medical students of all classes at Srinakharinwirot University during February, 11th 2008 to March, 4th 2008. Categorical variables were analyzed using the Chi-square test or Fisher exact test. For binary response variables, odds ratio and significant explanatory variables were identified through logistic regressions. A two-tailed p-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. EDS was not associated to class, gender and body mass index, but it was associated to depression and stress with odds ratios of 3.3 and 2.8, respectively (P<0.05). Only three symptoms of HRSR including tired, unhappy and sad in the morning were associated to EDS with odds ratios of 1.74, 2.05 and 1.5, respectively (P<0.05). From Suanprung stress test, only three symptoms, were including moody, sad and forgetful were associated to EDS with odds ratios of 1.36, 1.4 and 1.32, respectively (P<0.05). In conclusion, the symptoms of depression and stress that associated to EDS were tired, unhappy, sad, moody and forgetful. The EDS was not correlated to gender, class and BMI.