Correlation between Tinnitus Induced Distress and Sleep Quality

Received June 1, 2015 Revised July 27, 2015 Accepted July 27, 2015 Address for correspondence Myung-Whan Suh, MD, PhD Department of OtorhinolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul 03080, Korea Tel +82-2-2072-2448 Fax +82-2-2072-2447 E-mail drmung@naver.com Background and ObjectivesZZThere exist few studies about relationship between tinnitus and sleep disturbance. Furthermore, the currently available studies have some limitations of confounding factors. This study evaluated correlation between tinnitus and sleep quality, especially by controlling depression and anxiety factors. Subjects and MethodZZThe present study was planned as a cross sectional study using questionnaires. Using 46 patients with tinnitus, sleep quality was investigated by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score, anxiety by State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI, axis1 and axis2), depression by Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and tinnitus induced distress by Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI). The final analysis method was multiple regression analysis. THI and PSQI were regarded as dependent and independent variables, respectively. BDI and STAI were regarded as confounding factors. ResultsZZEach factor (PSQI, two STAI, and BDI) revealed significant correlation with THI score. Considering four factors together with regression analysis, PSQI score was the most influencing factor on THI score (p=0.002). ConclusionZZAlthough depression and anxiety were both influencing factors on tinnitus-induced distress as known previously, sleep quality influenced tinnitus-induced distress came out as the most significant factor in the multivariable analysis. Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg 2015;58(11):754-8