Status of fatigue and sleep quality in clinical medical students

Objective: To determine the relationship between fatigue and sleep quality in medical students. Materials and Methods: We applied a sociodemographic characteristics questionnaire, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Piper Fatigue Scale (PFS) to 4th, 5th and 6th year medical students. Results: Thirty seven percent (n=290) of 4th, 5th and 6th year medical students were included in the study. Mean age was 23.47 +/- 1.33 years, 53.8% were male. Alcohol use was determined at a level of 40.3% (n=117), nutrition-drug usage at 40.7% (n=118), and smoking at 19% (n=55). Additionally, 86.2% of the participants (n=250) preferred to sleep in the dark, 37.9% (n=110) thought that drinks they used before going to bed partially affected their sleep quality. PSQI score was 10.56 +/- 2.54 (min: 5-max: 19), 98.6% of the participants had poor sleep quality. There was no significant relationship between the students' academic years and sleep quality. PFS was 2.85 +/- 0.83(min: 1-max: 5), and 79%(n=229) had mild fatigue. A statistically significant relationship was determined between PSQI and PFS scores (p<0.05). Conclusion: Although a large proportion of participants had bad sleep quality, level of fatigue was mild. We determined a significant relationship between levels of fatigue and sleep quality. Arrangements should be made to improve poor sleep quality which affects students' quality of life. Fatigue levels that affect sleep quality should also be reduced.