Relationship between sleep disorders and anemia in Iranian adults: a cross-sectional analysis of the Shahedieh cohort study

Background. Anemia is an important public health problem worldwide. Since Anemia and its symptoms can affect the quality of life, the present study aimed to investigate the relationship between sleep quality and Iron deficiency anemia in the adults. Methods. The cross-sectional study was conducted on initial phase of Shahedieh Cohort Study in Yazd, Iran. In this study, all adults aged 35-70 years from Shahedieh, Zarch, and Ashekzar cities were investigated. Variable used in the study included demographic information; sleep quality indicators, and hemoglobin levels. Data were analyzed using SPSS V.20.0 software. Results. In this study, the prevalence of anemia in women (1/6%) was higher than in men (0.7%). Men with anemia had longer sleep duration (p=0.23), longer sleep latency (p=0.026). Daytime napping (P=0.09), consuming sleeping pills (p=0.002) and periodic limb movement in sleep (PLMS) (P=0.19) was higher in men with anemia. In menopausal women, daytime napping, use of sleep pills, and PLMS were more common in anemic women, But only the use of sleeping pills was a significant difference (p=0.049). Non -menopausal anemic women had shorter sleep duration and longer sleep latency compared to non-anemic women. Conclusion. In the present study, sleep quality in men with iron deficiency anemia was worse than in healthy men. To improve sleep quality and overall health, collaboration between physicians and mental health professionals in treating iron deficiency anemia before prescribing sleep pills is highly important.