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Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with fatigue in multiple sclerosis.
M Kaminska1, R J Kimoff, A Benedetti
1Respiratory Division and Sleep Laboratory, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. marta.kaminska@mcgill.ca
Multiple Sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England)
|December 21, 2011
Summary
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is common in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and linked to severe fatigue. This condition impacts MS fatigue independently of disability and other factors.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Sleep Medicine
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Fatigue is a prevalent and debilitating symptom for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS).
- The potential contribution of sleep disorders to MS-related fatigue requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and symptoms of fatigue and sleepiness in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Main Methods:
- Diagnostic polysomnography and multiple sleep latency testing were performed on ambulatory MS patients and healthy controls.
- Fatigue was assessed using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI).
- Subjective sleepiness was measured using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, with adjustments for covariates like age, sex, BMI, EDSS, depression, pain, and medications.
Main Results:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was diagnosed in 36 of 62 MS patients and 15 of 32 controls.
- Severe fatigue in MS patients was significantly associated with OSA and respiratory-related arousals, independent of control subjects.
- Severe OSA, higher Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores, and immunomodulating treatment were independently associated with severe fatigue in MS patients.
Conclusions:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is highly prevalent among multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.
- OSA is a significant contributor to fatigue in MS, independent of disease severity and other common factors.
- While OSA is linked to fatigue, it was not found to be related to subjective or objective sleepiness in this MS cohort.
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