Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 29, 2026
04:33
Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Connection Between Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Symptoms in Depression
Published on: April 26, 2024
1.7K
Psoriasis and sleep disorders: A systematic review.
Madhulika A Gupta1, Fiona C Simpson2, Aditya K Gupta3
1Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
Sleep Medicine Reviews
|December 2, 2015
Summary
Psoriasis patients have significantly higher rates of sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome. While treating skin symptoms can improve psoriasis-related insomnia, it doesn't fully address other sleep issues.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Sleep Medicine
- Immunology
Background:
- Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease linked to numerous comorbidities.
- Sleep disorders are common in psoriasis patients, impacting overall health.
- Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) affects approximately 30% of psoriasis cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the literature on the relationship between psoriasis, PsA, and formal sleep disorders.
- To determine the prevalence of specific sleep disorders in individuals with psoriasis.
- To explore the mechanisms linking psoriasis symptoms to sleep disturbances.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature review was conducted.
- 33 studies investigating psoriasis, PsA, and sleep disorders were identified and analyzed.
- Prevalence rates of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), restless legs syndrome, and insomnia were compared between psoriasis patients and the general population.
Main Results:
- Psoriasis patients exhibit a significantly higher prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (36%-81.8%) compared to the general population (2%-4%).
- Restless legs syndrome prevalence is elevated in psoriasis patients (15.1%-18%) versus the general population (5%-10%).
- Insomnia prevalence in psoriasis is variable (5.9%-44.8%), with symptoms often mediated by pruritus and pain.
Conclusions:
- Psoriasis is strongly associated with increased prevalence of OSA and RLS.
- While managing cutaneous symptoms can alleviate psoriasis-related insomnia, it does not resolve multifactorial sleep disorders like OSA.
- Further research is needed to understand and manage the complex relationship between psoriasis and sleep disorders.
