TO STUDY THE SLEEP QUALITY AND SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION IN PATIENTS PRESENTING WITH HEADACHE – A HOSPITAL BASED CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background - Headache disorders, which impact a large portion of the global population, are frequently accompanied by comorbid conditions such as sleep disturbances and sexual dysfunction. These comorbidities are not only exacerbating the burden of headaches but also complicate their management. While the relationships between headaches, sleep quality, and sexual dysfunction have been studied individually, their interconnected nature within the context of headache disorders remains underexplored.

Material and Methods - This cross-sectional study included 240 patients with headache disorders. Institutional approval and informed consent were obtained. Patients selected through enumerative sampling, met criteria of being over 18 years of age, married, sexually active, and having proper communication skills. Data was collected via structured interviews using the Socio-Demographic Data Sheet, HDI, PSQI, and ASEX.

Results - Among the 240 participants, the average age was 38.68 ± 13.00 years. Migraine and tension-type headaches were the most common diagnoses, with no significant gender differences in headache types. Participants with migraines showed higher HDI scores, indicating greater disability, and higher Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX) scores, suggesting more severe sexual dysfunction. Significant but weak correlations were found between headache disability and sleep quality (p < 0.05, r = 0.23), headache disability and sexual experiences (p < 0.05, r = 0.21), and sleep quality and sexual experiences (p < 0.05, r = 0.19).

Conclusion - This study highlights the complex interplay between headache disorders, sleep quality, and sexual experiences, emphasizing the need for an integrated approach to headache management that addresses both physical and psychological health.