Abstract:

Aims: Previous studies have reported that sleep disorders are frequently seen in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). In this study, we aimed to investigate the frequency and related factors of sleep disorders in these patients. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, sleep disorder was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Fatigue, generalized pain, anxiety, depression symptoms, restless legs syndrome (RLS) and urinary dysfunction were evaluated using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), visual analogue scale (VAS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD), and RLS Rating Scale and Scales for Outcomes in Parkinson’s disease-Autonomic. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the potential associations between a sleep disorder diagnosis and the investigated conditions. Results: Fifty-six patients [age (mean±standard deviation): 36.2±2.8 years; female: 30.4%] were included. Fifty percent of the patients scored 5 or more according to PSQI. ESS, HADS, FSS and VAS scores of patients with sleep disorder were significantly higher than those of patients with no sleep disorder (p=0.002, p=0.001, p<0.001, and p<0.001, respectively). Logistic regression analysis showed significant associations between sleep disorder and fatigue [Odds ratio (OR): 6.54 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08-39.57, p=0.041)], depression [OR: 9.82 (95% CI: 1.47-65.6), p=0.018], and generalized pain disorders [OR: 1.79 (95% CI: 1.23-2.3), p=0.002]. Conclusions: Our results show that half of the patients with MS suffer from sleep disorders. Sleep disorders in this group are associated with fatigue, depression, daytime sleepiness, common body pain, and immunomodulatory treatment.

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