Sleep disturbance in psoriasis [Study]

[Fred]

This study looked at the prevalence and factors associated with sleep disturbance in adult patients with psoriasis.

Quote:

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Background:
Sleep, which is crucial for restoring of physiological functions and health, is reportedly impaired in psoriasis. The role of different potential sleep confounding factors, including detailed pruritus characteristics, and the complex interplay between psychological variables (anxiety and depression), pruritus and sleep disturbance in psoriasis remain insufficiently investigated.

Objectives:
To investigate sleep characteristics and to identify clinical, demographic, and psychological factors associated with sleep disturbance in psoriasis.

Methods:
This cross-sectional study included 334 psoriasis patients (response rate 86%) and 126 control subjects (response rate 82%). Measures included sleep quality [Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)], psoriasis severity, pruritus characteristics, including average pruritus intensity [Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)], severity of comorbidities, anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale – HADS), and quality of life (Dermatology Life Quality Index – DLQI, and Short Form 12 – SF12).

Results:
Fifty-nine percent of patients, and 34% of control subjects (P<0.001) suffered from sleep disturbance (PSQI>5). Patients slept 1 hour less than control subjects (median 6 vs. 7 hours, P<0.001). Patients without pruritus had less impaired sleep (global PSQI) than patients with strong (P<0.001) and very strong pruritus (P<0.001). Anxiety (HADS-A) and depression (HADS-D) levels were the strongest predictors of sleep impairment, followed by pruritus exacerbation at night, age, female sex, pruritus exacerbation in the morning, average pruritus intensity (VAS), diagnosed depression and gastroesophageal reflux disease, altogether explaining 32% - 37% of the variance in global sleep quality. Both, anxiety (HADS-A) and depression (HADS-D) were significant mediators explaining the association between pruritus intensity (VAS) and sleep impairment in 42% and 37%, respectively.

Conclusions:
Sleep disturbance in patients with psoriasis is highly prevalent. Patients with psoriasis should be assessed for sleep impairment, pruritus, anxiety, and depression. Reduction of pruritus should be considered as an important therapeutic goal, along with therapies aimed at reducing anxiety and depression.

Source: onlinelibrary.wiley.com

*Early view funding unknown.

[Kat]

Makes sense. It's hard to get a good night's sleep with any discomfort.

[Fred]

Makes sense.  It's hard to get a good night's sleep with any discomfort.

Not if you drink buckets of Merlot it's not

[Kat]

Makes sense.  It's hard to get a good night's sleep with any discomfort.

Not if you drink buckets of Merlot it's not 

My liver might disagree

[KatT]

I have at least one sleepless night a week, takes me hours to fall asleep.  Itching or pain keep me awake.  I do have strong painkillers but try to do without because they're addictive.  

[jiml]

I've never experienced any problem with psoriasis or the medications disturbing my sleep,