Sleep quality in patients with Parkinson’s disease in the Republic of Moldova – preliminary results

Abstract

Background and objectives. The rising prevalence of sleep issues are a consequent societal problem, notably impacting individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD). This study aims to examine the differences in sleep quality between diagnosed patients and their counterparts, while also highlighting its effects on their symptoms and quality of life. Materials and methods. This study enrolled 37 PD subjects. Sleep quality, established via the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), was compared through a case control approach against 49 control subjects. PD symptomatology assessment was ensured via: Hoehn & Yahr (H&Y); Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson’s disease rating scale (MDS-UPDRS I-IV); Non-motor Symptom Scale (NMSS); Beck Depression Inventory (BDI); Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA); Scale for Outcomes in Parkinson’s disease – Psychosocial Functioning (SCOPA-PS); 39-Item Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39). Results. Compared to their homologues, PD subjects were prone to worse subjective sleep quality (18.9% vs. 8.2%), sleep efficiency (13.5% vs. 4.1%), diurnal functionality (27% vs. 12.2%), sleep related breathing disorders (62.2% vs. 46.9%). The global PSQI positively correlates to H&Y staging (rp= 0.443, p=0.008), UPDRS-III (rp= 0.369, p=0.029), UPDRS-IV (rp=0.412, p=0.011). PD subjects with PSQI >5 registered higher UPDRS-III (p=0.091), BDI (p=0.928), SCOPA-PS (p=0.051). PSQI5 correlates to PDQ-39 (rp=0.423, p=0.010) and SCOPA-PS (rp= 0.462, p=0.004). Conclusions. The study proved a clear correlation between altered sleep patterns and the clinical presentation of PD delineating the worsening of motor along to non-motor symptoms. In addition, the quality of life along to the psychosocial functioning of PD subjects is at risk in those manifesting sleep disturbances. Correspondingly, a greater interest should be applied in the establishment of prophylactic measures.