The association between serum orexin-A levels and sleep quality in pregnant women

Objective/background: Orexin has been shown to regulate the sleep-wake cycle, and it may play a major role in the pathogenesis of sleep disorders; however, its role in sleep disorders in pregnant women remains unclear. We aimed to assess the relationship between serum orexin-A (OXA) levels and sleep quality in pregnant women.Patients/methods: This study comprised 214 enrolled pregnant women (poor sleep quality, n = 125; no poor sleep quality, n = 89). We assessed participants' sleep quality and depression and anxiety levels. OXA levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results: Women in the poor sleep quality group showed higher serum OXA levels (0.33[0.3] vs. 0.27 [0.11], P < 0.001) than those in the no poor sleep quality group. Binary regression analysis showed that the higher the OXA levels (odds ratio [OR] 1.385, 95% CI [confidence interval] 1.160-1.655) and Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale scores (OR 1.073, 95% CI 1.009-1.140), the greater the risk of sleep quality in pregnant women. First-trimester OXA levels differed significantly from those in the second and third trimesters (P < 0.05).Conclusion: Serum OXA levels were higher in pregnant women with poor sleep quality than in those without poor sleep quality. OXA levels were also higher in the second and third trimesters than in the first trimester.(c) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.