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Published on: May 16, 2025
Sleep problems in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
René Westhovens1, Kristien Van der Elst, Ann Matthys
1From the Skeletal Biology and Engineering Research Center, KU Leuven Department of Development and Regeneration, and the Center for Health Services and Nursing Research, KU Leuven Department of Public Health and Primary Care, and Rheumatology, University Hospitals of Leuven, Leuven; Medical Department, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Brussels, Belgium; EJB Systems Inc., Oakville, Ontario, Canada; Global Health Economics and Outcomes Research, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey, USA.
Poor rheumatoid arthritis (RA) control significantly impacts sleep quality and daytime alertness in Belgian patients. Pain-related alertness may explain reduced sleepiness, highlighting the need for further research into RA treatment and sleep.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Sleep Medicine
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Sleep disturbances are prevalent in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.
- The relationship between RA disease activity and sleep quality requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess sleep problems in Belgian RA patients.
- To examine the association between RA disease activity and sleep quality/daytime sleepiness.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional, observational, multicenter study of 305 RA patients.
- Utilized Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) for sleep assessment.
- Employed multivariate regression and structural equation modeling, with DAS28-CRP as a key variable.
Main Results:
- Significant positive correlations were found between DAS28-CRP and poor sleep quality (AIS/PSQI scores).
- A significant negative correlation was observed between DAS28-CRP and daytime sleepiness (ESS scores).
- Patient-reported outcomes like fatigue, pain, and disability (HAQ-DI) were also assessed.
Conclusions:
- Poorly controlled RA is linked to reduced sleep quality and decreased daytime sleepiness.
- Pain-related alertness is a potential mechanism explaining the observed sleepiness patterns.
- Further prospective studies are recommended to validate these findings and explore RA treatment impacts on sleep.
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