By Joe Gorelick, MSN, FNP-C
Psoriatic disease is associated with poor sleep quality and high rates of sleep disturbance, according to the most recent meta-analysis of case-control or cohort studies that assessed sleep quality in individuals with psoriatic disease.
Sleep disturbances are likely driven by the itch and skin pain associated with psoriatic disease. Hopefully with effective therapeutic interventions, we will be able to correlate improvement in sleep quality with objective skin improvement assessments.
Based on data from 15 studies including 1,274 patients with psoriasis and 775 controls, patients with psoriasis had higher Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores and higher risk for SD compared to those without psoriasis. Psoriatic arthritis, moderate-to-severe psoriasis, shorter psoriasis duration, and younger age were associated with worse sleep quality and more sleep disturbance.
Researchers analyzed studies available via PubMed/Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases that included patients with psoriasis and healthy controls and reported data regarding PSQI and the prevalence of sleep disturbance (SD) based on the PSQI. They also assessed reported outcomes, including scores for the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and risk for restless legs syndrome (RLS).
Patients with psoriasis had higher ISI and BDI scores and risk for RLS.
It would be interesting to assess the correlation between higher sleep disturbance scores measured via questionnaires and smart devices such as Apple watches and the Oura ring.
Findings appear in Journal of Psychosomatic Research.