Study of Sleep Quality in Chemical-Warfare-Agents Exposed Veterans

Aims. Chronic lung disease and several psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder are prevalent in chemical-warfare-agents exposed veterans. Although all these disorders may result in impaired sleep, few studies have assessed sleep in this population. The aim of this study was to assess sleep quality in chemical-warfare-agents exposed veterans.Methods. In this observational study, we used the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index to assess the sleep quality of 94 chemical-warfare-agents exposed veterans with stable chronic pulmonary disease. The patients were non-randomly selected from those referring to the pulmonologist.Results. 78 veterans (77 males and 1 female) completed the questionnaire and entered the study. Mean age (SD) of the veterans was 42.11 ± 8.10. Mean disability percent (SD) was 29.8 ± 15.5. Quality of sleep was reported to be good in 5 (7%) and poor in 73 (93%). Duration between going to bed and falling asleep was 5 minutes to 3 hours with a mean (SD) of 46 ± 31. Quality of sleep was not related to age, disability percent, duration between injury and study (p>0.05), but with job (p<0.016). Conclusion. This study reported poor sleep in chemical-warfare-agents exposed veterans. With respect to the potential impact of poor sleep quality on the function and quality of human beings’ lives, it is necessary to pay attention to this aspect of veterans’ lives. While this is a cross-sectional study, no causal relation between the impaired quality of sleep and pulmonary disease, psychiatric disorders or drugs can be concluded. More studies are recommended to assess any correlation between these physical and psychological characteristics and sleep quality.