ICJIM
Intercontinental Journal of Internal Medicine

The Intercontinental Journal of Internal Medicine aims to publish issues related to all fields of internal medicine of the highest scientific and clinical value at an international level and accepts articles on these topics. This journal is indexed by indices that are considered international scientific journal indices (DRJI, ESJI, OAJI, etc.). According to the current Associate Professorship criteria, it is within the scope of International Article 1-d. Each article published in this journal corresponds to 5 points.

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Original Article
The impact of earthquake-related fear on sleep quality in hypertensive patients living in Istanbul
Abstract
Aims: This study aimed to examine the impact of earthquake-related fear on sleep quality in individuals with hypertension residing in Istanbul, following the two major earthquakes that struck Kahramanmaraş on February 6, 2023.
Methods: This cross-sectional study included a total of 70 hypertensive patients who visited the hospital between March and May 2023. Patients with hypertension consulted a psychiatrist for the presence of earthquake fear. Thirty-five patients with earthquake-related fear were matched with 35 patients without fear using stratified randomization based on age and gender. The Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess sleep quality. The total PSQI score can range from 0 to 21, where a score of 0–4 indicates good sleep quality, while a score of 5–21 signifies poor sleep quality.
Results: The mean age of the patients was 51.7 ± 8.0 years (range: 35–64 years), and 81% were female. The mean age and gender distribution of the patients did not differ significantly based on the presence of earthquake-related fear. The median PSQI scores of the group with a fear of earthquakes were higher compared to the group without fear (7 vs. 4, p = 0.013). The ratio of poor sleep quality was more common in the group with earthquake fear than the group without fear (71.4% vs. %42.9, p = 0.016). In the earthquake fear group, the risk of impaired sleep quality was 3.33 times higher compared to the group without earthquake fear (Odds ratio = 3.33; 95% CI = 1.2–8.99, p = 0.016).
Conclusion: Our findings indicate that hypertensive patients experiencing earthquake-related fear are at a significantly higher risk of poor sleep quality. We believe that it may be useful to review the pharmacological treatments of individuals with hypertension whose sleep quality is impaired owing to the fear of earthquakes and provide close psychological support.

Keywords : Hypertension, sleep quality, PSQI, fear of earthquakes

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Article available in :
Volume 2, Issue 4, 2024
Page : 94-98
https://doi.org/10.51271/ICJIM-0044
Article Information
Received : 03 Eki 2024
Accepted : 24 Eki 2024
Published : 30 Eki 2024
Corresponding Author :

Zeynep Koç: Kartal Dr Lütfi Kırdar City Hospital, Internal Medicine Clinic, İstanbul

[email protected]
Citation : Koç Z, Şenyaşar Meterelliyoz K, Aksoy Etlik A, Aladağ N, Sürücü M, Olcay Vardal T, Akın S. The impact of earthquake-related fear on sleep quality in hypertensive patients living in İstanbul. Intercont J Int Med. 2024;2(4):94-98.

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