Prevalence and Severity of Sleep Disorders in Patients With Mycosis Fungoides: A Case-Control Study

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is the most common form of cutaneous T cell lymphoma. Given that MF is a rare disease, evidence regarding its impact on sleep and quality of life is limited; however, our study aims to evaluate this aspect.

In this case-control study, 72 patients with MF were enrolled in the case group, and 72 matched healthy individuals were enrolled in the control group. Data regarding sleep disturbances were collected and analyzed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) questionnaires. Poor sleep quality was defined as a score > 5.

The control and case groups had median scores of 5.12 ± 2.57 and 10.22 ± 3.75 by PSQI and 6.39 ± 4.86 and 16.28 ± 6.99 by ISI, respectively. Multiple logistic regression revealed a significant association between the study group and the prevalence of poor sleep quality, as measured by both the PSQI (p < 0.0001) and the ISI (p < 0.0001). However, age, sex, marital status, pruritus, disease stage and onset, and lesion locations were not found to be associated with poor sleep quality.

Both the severity and prevalence of sleep disorders were significantly higher in the patients compared to a matched healthy population. Due to the profound impact of sleep on quality of life and considering the high prevalence of sleep disorders in patients with MF, evaluating a patient's sleep quality could improve their quality of life. Therefore, professional treatment can be administered if sleep disorders are observed or suspected.