The Chronotype (Eveningness-Morningness) Effects on Academic Achievement among Medical Students in Tabuk City, Saudi Arabia

Background: Thereis increasing awareness about theeffects of chronotype and sleep qualityand academic performance among medical students. The aim of the work: This study assessed the relationship between chronotype, sleep quality, and academic performance among Saudi medical students. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among169 clinical phase medical students during the period from May 2017 to January 2018. Participants were invited to sign a written informed consent then responded to a self-administered questionnaire, using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the weekdays and weekends bedtime and wake-up time, the chronotype was calculated from mid-sleep and wake up time during weekends and sleep dept. Students also completed a diary detailing their sleep habits fortwo weeks priorto filling out the questionnaire. The chi-square and Pearson's correlation were used for the statistical analysis. Results:Participants (48.5% males), their meanage was22.90±1.27, 83.4% had poor sleep quality. No correlation was found between cumulative grades (GPA), sleep quality, chronotype, body mass index, and sleep duration during weekdays and weekends (p>0.005), the females medical students had good sleep quality and lower body mass index, were more likely morning chronotype, and had higher GPA compared to males. Conclusion: No correlation was evident between the GPA, chronotype, and sleep quality. The women had better sleep quality and GPA, they were more likely morning chronotype and had lower body mass index.