Sleep disorders and illness intrusiveness in patients on chronic dialysis.
BACKGROUND
The prevalence of sleep problems (insomnia, restless legs syndrome, periodic limb movements in sleep and sleep apnoea) has been shown to be high in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and might contribute to impaired quality of life in this population.


METHODS
In a cross-sectional study using self-administered questionnaires, we examined the prevalence of sleep disorders and assessed their effect on different aspects of health-related quality of life in a sample of Hungarian patients on maintenance dialysis.


RESULTS
Our data confirm that sleep problems are frequent in patients with ESRD; 65% of the patients reported symptoms of at least one specific sleep disorder; insomnia was the most common sleep complaint with 49%, the prevalence of sleep apnoea was 32% and the prevalence of restless legs syndrome was 15%. Co-morbidity, assessed by the End-Stage Renal Disease Severity Index, was shown to be an independent predictor of sleep disorders. Patients with sleep disorders reported higher illness intrusiveness and worse self-perceived health than those without sleep problems. The presence of sleep disorders was an independent predictor of illness intrusiveness, an important determinant of health-related quality of life.


CONCLUSIONS
Sleep disorders are important determinants of illness intrusiveness and health-related quality of life in patients with ESRD. Sleep problems may be treated successfully; therefore, more attention should be paid to assessing these problems in this patient population.
Mucsi
Istvan
I
1st Department of Internal Medicine, Semmelweiss University Budapest. mucsist@net.sote.hu
Molnar
Miklos Zs
MZ
Rethelyi
Janos
J
Vamos
Eszter
E
Csepanyi
Gabor
G
Tompa
Gyorgyi
G
Barotfi
Szabolcs
S
Marton
Adrienn
A
Novak
Marta
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires