Prevalencia de trastornos del sueño y su relación con ansiedad y depresión en los estudiantes de Medicina de la Universidad de Cuenca, periodo académico marzo-agosto 2025

Abstract

Background: Several studies have demonstrated a relationship between mental health and disruptions in the sleep-wake cycle. In Colombia, the prevalence of poor sleep quality among health sciences students in 2023 ranged from 25% to 91%. Similarly, a study conducted in Peru (2021) found that 64% of students with a sleep disorder also experienced anxiety. Given this context, identifying the association between sleep disorders and the presence of anxiety and depression among medical students at the University of Cuenca is of critical importance. Objective: To determine the prevalence of sleep disorders and analyze their association with anxiety and depression in medical students at the University of Cuenca during the March– August 2025 academic term. Methods: This was an observational, analytical, cross-sectional study. The Oviedo Sleep Questionnaire was used to assess sleep disorders, categorizing them into subjective sleep dissatisfaction, insomnia, and hypersomnia. The Beck Anxiety Inventory and Beck Depression Inventory were used to assess symptoms, classified into minimal, mild, moderate, and severe. Results: A total of 380 medical students participated (67.9% female; mean age: 21 years). Among them, 35.5% reported anxiety, 59.6% reported depressive symptoms, and 77.9% were dissatisfied with their sleep quality. A statistically significant association was found between sleep disorders and both anxiety and depression (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Medical students experiencing anxiety and depression were significantly more likely to report sleep disorders compared to those without these mental health conditions.