%0 Journal Article %A Izolde Bouloukaki %A George Stathakis %A Athina Koloi %A Ekaterini Bakiri %A Maria Moudatsaki %A Eleni Pouladaki %A Violeta Moniaki %A Eleni Mauroudi %A Sophia Schiza %T Prevalence and risk factors of poor sleep quality and fatigue during exam periods in university students %D 2017 %R 10.1183/23120541.sleepandbreathing-2017.P2 %J ERJ Open Research %P P2 %V 3 %N suppl 1 %X Background University students are likely to have poor sleep quality and fatigue, affecting academic and psychological well-being.Aims and Objectives To assess if and how sleep quality and fatigue are affected in university students of different Tertiary Institutions during an academic exam period and to identify possible associated factors.Methods A Web-based survey was completed by 517 students of 20 different Tertiary Institutions (response rate 83.7%), containing questions about demographics, sleep habits, exercise habits, caffeine, tobacco and alcohol use, subjective sleep quality (using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index - PSQI) and fatigue (Fatigue severity scale – FSS) at the beginning of the semester and on examination period.Results The study group consisted of 328 (63.4%) females and 189 (36.6%) males with mean age 21.3±2.5 years. PSQI global and FSS scores were significantly elevated at exam period compared to pre-exam period (5.9±2.7 vs 5.4±2.5, p<0.001 and 35.8±12.4 vs 32.7 ±11.5, p<0.001, respectively). Furthermore, the prevalence of poor sleep quality and fatigue were higher (68% vs 61% and 50% vs 40%, p<0.001, respectively). Active smoking, lack of exercise, fatigue, depressive symptoms and presence of snoring were each significantly (p<0.05) associated with poor sleep quality. Fatigue was associated with female gender, use of sleep medications and depressive symptoms (p<0.05).Conclusions Our results indicate that sleep quality and fatigue are affected in university students during academic exam periods. Potential factors were identified which may lead to development of strategies in order to promote a better quality of sleep. %U