Effects of subjective sleep quality on the quality of life in patients with chronic anorectal disorder.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the subjective sleep quality in patients with anorectal disorder, to determine the factors associated with subjective sleep quality, and to explore the relationship between subjective sleep quality and quality of life.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted between April 8, 2015 and April 12, 2016. The research population consisted of 284 patients who attended the general surgery outpatient clinics of Konya Military Hospital and were subsequently diagnosed with one of the four most common anorectal disorders (hemorrhoidal disease, anal fissure, anorectal abscess/fistula, and sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease). Data were collected from 114 patients who volunteered to participate in the study. After establishment of the diagnosis based on proctological anamnesis and physical examination, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Short-Form Health Survey, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and Beck Depression Inventory were administered to the patients, along with a questionnaire on sociodemographic data, via a face-to-face interview technique.

RESULTS: Ninety-six (84.2%) patients had poor sleep quality, whereas 18 (15.8%) patients had good sleep quality. Among the patients with poor sleep quality, 16 were diagnosed with anorectal abscess and fistula (100.0%), 40 with hemorrhoidal disease (90.9%), 16 with sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease (80.0%), and 24 with anal fissure (70.6%). Overall, all patients with poor sleep quality (n=96) had low scores in all subcomponents of the quality of life scale.

CONCLUSION: The sleep quality in patients with chronic anorectal disorder is significantly impaired, thus negatively affecting quality of life. Therefore, improvement in quality of life by improving sleep quality should be one of the main objectives in treating chronic anorectal disorders.