Evaluation of sleep quality in rheumatoid arthritis patients

Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate treatment effects on sleep quality and fatigue in patients with RA. Besides, we aim to examine possible effects of disease activity, pain and socio-demographic features on sleep quality and fatigue. Material and Methods: In this study, 78 patients diagnosed with RA according to the American Rheumatism Association (ACR) 1987 revised criteria and European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) criteria were compared with a parallel healthy control group (n=48). All participants were given a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue Scale (MAF), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28). Results: The mean duration of diagnosis was 9.10 +/- 8.54 years and the mean score of DAS28 was 3.25 +/- 1.04 in patients with RA. In terms of total PSQI, the differences between two groups were found statistically significant (p=0.001; t=8.023). In terms of MAF, The differences between two groups were found statistically significant (p=0.001; t=3.668). The sleep disturbance and daytime functioning scores were found as 1.86 +/- 0.69, 1.40 +/- 0.83 respectively in nonbiological DMARD group and 1.54 +/- 0.66; 0.84 +/- 0.93 in biological + non -biological DMARD group. There were statistically significant differences between groups (p=0.043; t=2.054, p=0.008; t=2.730). According to correlation analysis between DAS28 and disease duration, a positive correlation has been found (r = 0.297; p = 0.008). Discussion: Patients with RA generally experience more fatigue and have worse sleep quality than healthy individuals. High disease activity can lead to longer sleep latency, reduced daytime functionality, and increased fatigue symptoms.