Sleep quality and polysomnographic changes in patients with chronic pain with and without central sensitization signs

Insufficient sleep is common nowadays and it can be associated with chronic pain.

To describe the main polysomnographic findings in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain and to estimate the association between sleep quality, polysomnography variables and chronic musculoskeletal pain.

This cross-sectional research analyzed a database from polysomnography type 1 exams results and then collected data via an electronic form from these patients. The form collected sociodemographic data and presented clinical questionnaires for measuring sleep quality, sleepiness, pain intensity and central sensitization signs. Pearson's correlation coefficient and odds ratio were used to estimate the associations.

The mean age of the respondents was 55.1 (SD 13.4) years. The mean score of the Central Sensitization Inventory showed signs of central sensitization (50.1; SD 13.4) in the participants. Most patients (86%) had 1 or more nocturnal awakenings, 90% had one or more episodes of sleep apnea, 47% had Rapid Eye Movement sleep phase latency greater than 70-120 min and the mean sleep efficiency among all participants was 81.6%. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score was correlated with the CSI score (r = 0.55; 95% CI: 0.45, 0.61). People with central sensitization signs have 2.6 times more chance to present sleep episodes of blood oxygen saturation below 90% (OR = 2.62; 95% CI:1.23, 6.47).

Most people with central sensitization signs had poor sleep quality, night waking episodes and specific disturbances in sleep phases. The findings showed association between central sensitization, sleep quality, nocturnal awakening, and changes in blood oxygen saturation during sleep.