Sleep complaints in postpolio syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated the prevalence of sleep-related and sleep-disordered-breathing (SDB)-related complaints in a group of postpolio patients compared with healthy controls.

DESIGN

A questionnaire, consisting of the validated Sleep Wake Experience List (SWEL), and a list of questions pertaining to sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), was mailed to a group of 43 postpolio patients.

PARTICIPANTS

The patient group consisted of 43 former polio patients who had been evaluated at a neuromuscular disease clinic in a tertiary referral center for new complaints of progressive muscle weakness. The patients were requested to select two healthy controls from their neighborhood who also filled out a questionnaire.

RESULTS

In the group of postpolio patients the frequency of tiredness on waking up and during the day, headache on waking up, daytime sleepiness, and restless legs was significantly higher compared with the control group. Complaints specifically related to SDB, such as apneas and snoring, were not mentioned significantly more often by the postpolio patients.

CONCLUSION

Up to half of postpolio patients report complaints of disordered sleep, which is likely to influence daytime functioning. Further studies, including sleep studies into SDB and restless legs, are necessary to elucidate the causes for these complaints.