[Rheumatological Diseases and Sleep: Somnological Aspects of Diagnostics and Therapy]

This PubMed-based review discusses primary and secondary sleep disorders associated with rheumatological diseases. It presents the pathophysiological interaction of sleep-related diseases and rheumatological disorders and summarises clinical symptoms, diagnostic investigation and therapies from a somnological perspective.

70 % of patients suffering from rheumatological diseases report poor sleep quality, numerous awakenings at night and non-restorative sleep. More than 20 % of these patients are found to have primary sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and the restless legs syndrome (RLS).

Primary and secondary sleep disorders may increase symptoms associated with rheumatological diseases, e. g. excessive daytime sleepiness, fatigue, depression, pain intensity, and disease activity. Vice versa, pain intensity and inflammatory markers worsen sleep quality. In patients with rheumatic diseases, obesity as well as disease-related skeletal characteristics may be predisposing factors for obstructive sleep apnoea. The restless legs syndrome, which frequently occurs in rheumatological diseases, lowers sleep quality due to a sensory stimulus and periodic leg movements causing sleep fragmentation.

Somnological diagnostic investigation consists of sleep-related questionnaires and scales. Objective tests are used to measure reaction time and vigilance. Sleep-related breathing and movement disorders can be identified with screening devices and polygrafic monitoring. A final polysomnografic sleep study is necessary to make the diagnosis and to initiate a specific treatment and follow-up examinations.

Sleep disorders associated with rheumatological diseases may be treated with behavioural and drug therapies. Drug therapy is commonly used in the management of insomnia and RLS. Most cases of OSAS can be treated with CPAP or UPS devices. Interdisciplinary cooperation in the fields of somnology and rheumatology may improve treatment in RA patients.