Sleep disorders in patients with multiple sclerosis in Spain

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Sleep Medicine
• Clinical Research

Background:

• Sleep disturbances are a common yet often overlooked issue in patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS).
• Understanding the factors influencing sleep quality in MS is crucial for improving patient well-being and disease management.
• Previous research suggests a potential link between MS and sleep problems, but comprehensive data on prevalence and correlations is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of sleep disturbances in a cohort of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
• To investigate the relationship between sleep disturbances and various clinical (e.g., disability status, MS form) and demographic (e.g., age, sex) variables in MS patients.
• To establish correlations between patient characteristics and the frequency and severity of sleep disturbances.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 221 patients treated at an MS unit.
• The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire was administered to assess sleep disorders.
• Usable data was collected from 142 patients between September 8-30, 2019.

Main Results:

• A high prevalence of sleep disturbances was observed, affecting 74.7% of MS patients (73.7% women, 76.8% men).
• Sleep disorder frequency and severity increased with age and higher Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores.
• Patients with secondary progressive MS reported more frequent sleep disturbances compared to those with primary progressive MS.

Conclusions:

• Sleep disorders are significantly more common in patients with MS than in the general population.
• Age and degree of disability are positively correlated with the prevalence and severity of sleep disturbances in MS.
• Targeted interventions addressing sleep issues may be beneficial for improving the quality of life for individuals with MS.