Prevalence and Risk Factors for Poor Sleep Quality in People Living with HIV: Preliminary Observations from an HIV Outpatient Clinic.

INTRODUCTION

Sleep disorders have been reported in individuals living with HIV (PLWH), with a prevalence rate of over 50%. The main risk factors contributing to the development of sleep disturbances are not yet fully understood. We investigate the prevalence and risk factors associated with poor sleep quality in a population of PLWH who are receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART).

METHODS

The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to evaluate sleep quality in PLWH attending our HIV Outpatient Clinic between October 2022 and April 2023. All subjects with a PSQI score > 5 were considered bad sleepers. A logistic regression analysis was carried out to assess risk factors associated with a PSQI score > 5.

RESULTS

A total of 132 PLWH (78% males) who received ART for at least one month were included in this observational study. The median age was 56 (IQR 47-61). Among all, 41 (31%) had a history of AIDS, and 95 (72%) were receiving an INSTI-based ART. The study population was divided into two groups: PSQI ≤ 5 (90; 68.2%) and PSQI > 5 (42; 31.8%). A lower BMI and the use of bictegravir in the current ART were associated with a PSQI score ≤ 5. In the multivariate analysis, the use of a bictegravir-based ART remained the only factor associated with better sleep quality (OR 0.17; p = 0.0222). No further associations between sleep disturbances and other epidemiological and clinical features were found.

CONCLUSION

In this real-life scenario, poor sleep quality was observed in 31% of the cases, primarily among individuals with higher BMI. In addition, bictegravir users might seem to have a lower likelihood of experiencing poor sleep quality.