Can Multiple Sclerosis-Related Symptoms Determine Sleep Disorders?

BACKGROUND: Sleep disorders are common and various in persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). However, their assessment and management remain in the background compared with motor symptoms. This study was conducted to better understand sleep disorders in PwMS and to analyze sleep problems and their predictive symptoms. METHODS: This cross-sectional design study was conducted with 136 PwMS. Data were collected using a participant identification form, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Insomnia Severity Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and Stop-Bang Test. In data analysis, 1-way analysis of variance, t test and Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis were used. RESULTS: The study found that 51.5% of the participants have poor sleep quality, 36.8% have insomnia, 24.3% have excessive daytime sleepiness, and 19.9% were at risk of obstructive sleep apnea. Symptoms of forgetfulness (β = 0.199), depression (β = 0.223), pain (β = 0.278), and increased urinary frequency at night (β = 0.236) explain approximately 40% of the change in sleep quality score; difficulty swallowing (β = 0.218), depression (β = 0.253), and pain (β = 0.313) symptoms explain 33% of the change in insomnia score; fatigue (β = 0.292) and anxiety (β = 0.409) symptoms explain 32% of the change in sleepiness score. CONCLUSIONS: PwMS start to experience sleep disorders in the early stages of the disease, some characteristics affect sleep disorders, and the symptoms they experience explain sleep disorders at significant rates. Sleep disorders should be evaluated by nurses and interdisciplinary healthcare teams from the early stages of multiple sclerosis with different aspects and to include predictive symptoms in the interventions to be implemented to reduce sleep disorders.