SLEEP DISORDERS AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN UNDERGRADUATE DENTAL STUDENTS

Background: Sleep quality and stress are critical determinants of academic performance, especially among undergraduate dental students who face intense academic and clinical demands. Despite increasing awareness, the combined impact of sleep disturbances and stress on scholastic achievement remains underexplored in South Asian educational settings. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between sleep disturbances, perceived stress levels, and academic performance among undergraduate dental students in Lahore, Pakistan. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over eight months, involving 284 dental students from multiple institutions in Lahore. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) were used to assess sleep quality and stress levels, respectively. Academic performance was measured using self-reported cumulative grade point average (CGPA). Data were analyzed using SPSS v26, with Pearson’s correlation and multiple linear regression to determine associations among variables. Results: Poor sleep quality (PSQI >5) was prevalent in 69.7% of students, and 85.3% reported moderate to high stress. The mean CGPA was 3.42 ± 0.34. Pearson’s correlation revealed a significant negative association between PSQI scores and CGPA (r = –0.42, p < 0.001) and between PSS scores and CGPA (r = –0.38, p < 0.001). A strong positive correlation was observed between PSQI and PSS scores (r = 0.51, p < 0.001), indicating a reciprocal relationship between poor sleep and high stress. Conclusion: Sleep disturbances and elevated stress levels are prevalent among dental students and are significantly associated with lower academic performance. Institutional strategies promoting sleep hygiene and stress reduction are vital for improving student outcomes.