Relationship between sleep and academic performance in medical students: a first approach

Introduction: Sleep quality is a relevant determinant of academic performance among medical students, a population exposed to high cognitive and organizational demands. This study describes the sleep profile and its relationship with subjective academic performance. Methods: Cross-sectional study in fifth-year students. The Oviedo Sleep Questionnaire and the RAU Scale (subjective component: contribution to academic activities, study dedication, and organization of learning resources) were administered, along with sociodemographic items. Descriptive analyses, sex comparisons (Mann-Whitney U test), and Spearman correlations between sleep domains and performance subscales were conducted. Results: The sample included 48 students (75% women). Women showed higher levels of hypersomnia, whereas men reported lower subjective sleep satisfaction. No sex differences were found in the RAU subscales. Correlations indicated that poorer sleep (more insomnia/hypersomnia and lower satisfaction) is associated with lower contribution and dedication and greater disorganization of learning resources. Conclusions: Sleep disturbances are related to subjective academic performance in medical students, with sex-specific profiles. Institutional programs on sleep hygiene and study organization may help enhance academic engagement. Longitudinal studies with objective sleep measures and control of psychosocial variables are recommended to clarify causality and underlying mechanisms.