Abstract
Introduction: Sleep-related disorders(ex.Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS))and the presence of extrinsic factors(ex.pets),may influence sleep quality.Our objective was to assess whether a pet in the bedroom or bed disturbs sleep.
Methods: Data were collected through a survey conducted at a metro station in Lisbon.Sleep quality and risk of OSAS were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI)and the STOP BANG questionnaire respectively.Animal-related data were collected by a questionnaire designed with the collaboration of a veterinarian.
Results: A total of 346 individuals, randomly selected,answered the survey.The mean age of the participants(70,5%women)was 48.4 years (sd18.8) and body mass index was 21.7 kg/m2(sd4.4).Of the sample,59,8% of the individuals presented a low risk for OSAS and only 8.7% presented a high risk.In 47.4% the quality of sleep was classified as poor.The mean score for STOP BANG was significantly higher in subjects with poor sleep quality(p=0.001).When asked if they had animals (dogs/cats),49.4% answered yes.The animals slept in the bedroom in 55.5% of the sample and slept concomitantly in the bed in 78%.We found a statistically significant association between having an animal and sleep quality(p=0.003),that is, people who sleep with an animal have an OR 0.49(95% IC:0.33–0.81),showing that sleeping with an animal may have a positive impact in sleep quality.
Conclusion: A large proportion of the Portuguese population sleeps with their animals in the bedroom. Although the scientific evidence regarding the impact of this behaviour in human sleep’s quality is very scarce, in our study there seems to exist a statistically significant benefit of sleeping with domestic animals.
Footnotes
Cite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2020; 56: Suppl. 64, 2946.
This abstract was presented at the 2020 ERS International Congress, in session “Respiratory viruses in the "pre COVID-19" era”.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2020