THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SELF-REPORTED SLEEP, WRIST ACTIGRAPHY, AND SYMPTOMS AMONG ADULTS WITH INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE (IBD)

Abstract

Abstract BACKGROUND Recently, there has been a growing recognition of the bidirectional link between sleep and inflammation. Several studies have reported the prevalence of sleep disturbances in those with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and found poor sleep has the potential to increase the risk of disease relapse. Additionally, sleep loss may adversely affect cognitive performance, mental health, metabolism, and pain perception. While previous research has indicated potential associations between sleep and symptoms commonly reported in IBD, few studies use objective measures of sleep. Wrist actigraphy can objectively and non-invasively measure sleep-wake cycles and has been found feasible for use in the IBD population. This study aimed to examine the relationship between self-reported sleep, wrist actigraphy, and symptoms among adults with IBD. METHODS Participants with IBD (ages 18-55) completed demographic and sleep questionnaires, a 28-day symptom diary, and wore a wrist actigraph for up to 15 days. Sleep questionnaires were the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) sleep disturbance, and PROMIS sleep-related impairment. Participants rated symptoms on a 4-point Likert scale, including gastrointestinal-related symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating, constipation, fatigue, and extraintestinal symptoms, including anxiety, depression, and stress. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and Pearson correlations. RESULTS Twenty-five participants (Crohn’s Disease=18; Ulcerative Colitis=7) were included. The mean age was 33.5 (SD 8.3) years of age, 60% were female, 92% were White, 88% were non-Hispanic or Latino, and 36% had active endoscopic disease. Most (64%) participants had poor quality sleep (PSQI global ≥ 5). In contrast, the averages for onset latency, efficiency, wake after sleep onset (WASO), and total sleep time were all within normal values at 17.4 min (SD 26.7), 84.2% (SD 7.5), 48.7 min (SD 27.3), and 435.8 min (69.2), respectively. PROMIS sleep disturbance was significantly correlated with abdominal pain (r=0.56), bloating (r=0.43), constipation (r=0.46), fatigue (r=0.50), and stress (r=0.42). PROMIS sleep-related impairment was significantly correlated with bloating (r=0.47), constipation (r=0.50), fatigue (r=0.60), depression (r=0.42), and stress (r=0.46). Onset latency was significantly correlated with anxiety (r=0.41) and stress (r=0.42). Sleep time was significantly correlated with fatigue (r=0.42). CONCLUSION This study highlights sleep disturbances are prevalent in those with IBD and significantly correlated with both GI and extraintestinal symptoms. Future work is needed to explore these relationships further and the potential benefit of sleep interventions in this population.