Sleep Disturbances and Pain Subtypes in Parkinson's Disease.

Background and

Objectives

Sleep and pain are non-motor symptoms encountered frequently in Parkinson's disease (PD). Several subtypes of pain have been identified in PD, with different associations with other non-motor symptoms. To evaluate the prevalence of various subtypes of pain in a PD cohort and their associations with sleep disturbances and quality of sleep. Materials and

Methods

In this study, 131 consecutive PD patients were assessed, focusing on pain and sleep using several validated scales and questionnaires.

Results

According to KPPQ, the most reported types of pain were musculoskeletal pain (82.44%), nocturnal pain (58.77%), and radicular pain (55.72%). "Bad sleepers" (PSQI score > 5) reported significantly more pain than "good sleepers" regarding all KPPS subdomains, with statistically significant differences observed in the following domains: musculoskeletal pain (5.48 ± 3.50 vs. 2.70 ± 2.67, p < 0.001), chronic pain, specifically central pain (1.19 ± 2.01 vs. 0.15 ± 0.71, p = 0.004), nocturnal pain, specifically pain related to akinesia (2.26 ± 2.74 vs. 0.64 ± 1.22, p = 0.001), and radicular pain (4.35 ± 4.20 vs. 2.45 ± 3.55, p = 0.022). The prevalence of sleep disturbances was higher in patients with nocturnal pain (odds = 1.165, 95% CI: 1.064-1.276, p = 0.001), orofacial pain (odds = 1.108, 95% CI: 1.051-1.167, p < 0.001), and radicular pain (odds = 1.015, 95% CI: 1.015-1.149, p = 0.015).

Conclusions

Pain is common in PD patients with sleep disorders. Identifying specific types of pain that are associated with sleep disorders and their correct management may improve sleep quality.