Table 4

Change in severity of self-reported sleep disturbances from baseline to year 1 among women in SWAN who reported sleep disturbances, by medication type

Baseline visitVisit 1 year afterP value*
No sleep medications
n=447
BZD users
n=87
No sleep
medications
n=447
BZD users
n=87
Mean (95% CI)
Difficulty initiating sleep2.6 (2.5 to 2.7)2.2 (2.5 to 3.2)2.3 (2.2 to 2.5)2.6 (2.3 to 2.9)0.71
Waking frequently during sleep3.7 (3.6 to 3.8)3.8 (3.5 to 4.1)3.5 (3.3 to 3.6)3.3 (3.0 to 3.6)0.24
Early morning awakening2.7 (2.6 to 2.8)2.6 (2.3 to 2.9)2.5 (2.3 to 2.6)2.6 (2.3 to 2.9)0.17
No sleep medications
n=447
Z-drugs+other hypnotics
n=151
No sleep
medications
n=447
Z-drugs+other hypnotics
n=151
Difficulty initiating sleep2.6 (2.5 to 2.7)2.7 (2.4 to 3.0)2.3 (2.2 to 2.4)2.6 (2.3 to 2.8)0.12
Waking frequently during sleep3.7 (3.6 to 3.8)3.8 (3.6 to 4.0)3.5 (3.3 to 3.6)3.8 (3.6 to 4.0)0.05
Early morning awakening2.7 (2.5 to 2.8)2.9 (2.7 to 3.1)2.5 (2.3 to 2.6)2.8 (2.6 to 3.0)0.28
  • Z-drugs (selective BZD receptor agonists) include zolpidem, zaleplon and eszopiclone. Means calculated based on 5-point Likert scale, where 1=no difficulties on any nights, 2=difficulties on less than one night per week, 3=one to two nights per week, 4=three to four nights per week and 5=five to seven nights per week.

  • *P values reflect the differences between the sleep medication users and non-users in the change in severity of disturbances between baseline and year 1.

  • BZD, benzodiazepine; SWAN, Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation.