Anxiety, sleep quality and their relationship with inflammation in Takayasu’s Arteritis

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate anxiety, sleep quality, and their relationship with inflammation in patients with Takayasu’s arteritis (TA). Twenty-four patients diagnosed with TA and sex and age matched healthy controls were enrolled in the study. The quality of sleep was evaluated by Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), and anxiety were assessed by The Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale. The disease activity was evaluated with sedimentation and C-reactive protein (CRP). The levels of anxiety and overall PSQI scores were significantly higher in TA than in healthy controls. Sleep disturbance was identified in half of the TA patients. The presence of systemic findings, CRP, and all subscale items of the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were found to be higher in TA patients with poor sleepers compared to good sleepers. There was a significant correlation between all components of PSQI and anxiety scores. The present study has demonstrated higher anxiety scores and poor sleep quality among patients in TA compared with healthy controls. TA patients with systemic findings and high inflammation should be evaluated for poor sleep quality. Also, remission in disease activity may be associated with better sleep and less anxiety scores.