0811 Predicting Sleep Efficiency from Self-Reported Obstructive Sleep Apnea Symptoms in Postpartum Women

Abstract Introduction During the early postpartum period, women are at an increased risk of poor sleep quality, which can negatively impact maternal health and put early mothers at an increased risk for sleep disorders, which often go undiagnosed. Identifying risk factors is critical for screening and intervention strategies to mitigate potential long-term maternal health consequences. This study aimed to test a linear model to predict sleep efficiency and the presence of self-reported OSA symptoms. Methods A study was conducted with N=60 postpartum women between 3 and 6 months post-delivery. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was collected at baseline to gather sleep symptoms in the past month, and mothers in the study went on to collect one week of actigraphy data. The PSQI question 5e, which assesses sleep disturbance as a product of coughing and snoring loudly, was used to assess risk for potential OSA symptoms in our sample. Sleep efficiency was measured via 7-day actigraphy, and average score was analyzed. Multiple linear regression was used to determine the predictive strength and significance of the relationship. Results Actigraphy-measured Sleep efficiency was regressed on self-reported measures of coughing and snoring loudly (PSQI 5e). Coughing and snoring were significantly related to Sleep Efficiency, □ = -0.44, 95% CI [-0.68, -0.20], p < 0.001. We followed up by examining Sleep Efficiency at each level of Sleep Disturbance. Sleep Efficiency for postpartum moms who reported no coughing or snoring was 79.7, 95% CI [76.69, 82.77], SD = 7.1, which was significantly higher than for those who reported coughing or snoring less than once a week 65.7, 95% CI [58.84, 72.96], SD = 5.9, and for those who reported coughing or snoring once or twice a week was 52.6, 95% CI [37.87, 66.26], SD = 4.7. Conclusion This model identified that higher self-reported sleep disruptions due to coughing or snoring loudly predicted lower actigraphy-derived sleep efficiency. These findings support the use of the PSQI in identifying women at risk for lower sleep quality in the postpartum period, and support further research into better understanding maternal sleep in the postpartum period and how this may relate to overall health. Support (if any)