Assessment of sleep quality and sleep disordered breathing in patients with interstitial lung diseases.

PURPOSE: Interstitial lung diseases are frequently associated with sleep disturbances that adversely affect health-related quality of life (HRQoL), yet these remain under-recognized. This study aimed to assess sleep quality and sleep disordered breathing in patients with ILD and evaluate their association with HRQoL.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, conducted at a tertiary care centre in India, adults with a confirmed diagnosis of ILD were enrolled. Sleep quality was assessed using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and HRQoL using King's Brief ILD and EQ-5D-5 L questionnaires respectively. Consenting participants underwent level I polysomnography. Linear regression was used to identify risk factors independently associated with HRQoL measures.

RESULTS

Of the 100 participants included, 69 underwent polysomnography. Poor sleep quality (PSQI > 5) was observed in 75% and OSA was diagnosed in 71% respectively. Poor sleep quality was associated with higher neck circumference, higher ESS score and significantly poorer generic and disease-specific HRQoL. OSA was associated with older age, higher BMI, and greater neck circumference but showed no association with HRQoL measures. Regression analysis identified that poor sleep quality was independently associated with excessive daytime sleepiness and poorer HRQoL.

CONCLUSION

Poor sleep quality and obstructive sleep apnea were frequent in our study population. Poor sleep quality (PSQI) was independently associated with worse HRQoL, highlighting the importance of evaluating sleep in patients with ILD.