Daytime sleepiness and quality of life: are they associated in obese pregnant women?

Objective: To know the relationship between daytime sleepiness and quality of life during pregnancy according to the weight gain and baseline weight.

Methods: We studied 216 pregnant women (108 obese and 108 non-obese). At first and third trimester of pregnancy they completed the 12-item short-form health survey (SF-12) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Furthermore, in both visits, we evaluated blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), and reviewed all medical charts to identify pregnancy complications.

Results: Weight gain and mental component of quality of life (MCS-12) in both trimesters were lower in the obese group, whereas ESS was higher. The physical component of quality of life (PCS-12) was only lower in the same group at third trimester. Those women with ESS ≥ 10 at third trimester showed a higher baseline BMI and ESS score, but lower MCS-12 and PCS-12 at third trimester. Baseline and final BMI were positively associated with ESS at third trimester, whereas PCS-12 value in both trimesters was negatively related.

Conclusions: Obesity at the beginning of pregnancy but not weight gain was related to low quality of life and daytime sleepiness at the third trimester of gestation. High BMI but low PCS-12 during pregnancy was associated with daytime sleepiness.