Aim of the workTo investigate sleep problems in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and to correlate sleep scores with disease characteristics and activity. Patients and methods100 RA patients and 40 matched controls were included. Disease activity score (DAS28), visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, modified health assessment questionnaire (MHAQ) and medical outcomes study short form-36 (SF-36) were assessed and the van der Heijde-modified Sharp score (vdHSS) calculated. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to investigate the sleeping habits, sleep difficulty was assessed using the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) and daytime sleepiness was measured using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). ResultsThe patients were 84 females and 16 males (F:M 5.25:1) with mean age of 48.1±12.4years, disease duration of 6.9±5.9years, DAS28 was 4.3±1.4, MHAQ was 0.95±0.6 and VAS was 45.2±21.1. The sleep scores PSQI, AIS and ESS were significantly increased in patients (6.98±2.8, 9.6±4.4 and 7.4±2.6) compared to control (2.6±1.9, 2.7±1.8 and 3.3±2.03 respectively; p=0.01 each). Sleep scores tended to be lower in females and were significantly higher in those with positive C-reactive protein. Rheumatoid factor positive patients and those not receiving methotrexate had significantly higher PSQI and AIS scores. Sleep scores significantly correlated with age, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, DAS28, VAS, MHAQ and vdHSS and negatively with SF-36 physical component score (PCS) (p=0.01 for all). Disease duration, DAS28, VAS and SF36 (PCS) were significant risk factors for sleep problems. ConclusionA high frequency of sleep disturbances in RA patients was observed. Interplay of pain, fatigue, activity and disability may lead to poor sleep quality.