Prevalence of sleep problems in individuals with multiple sclerosis.
BACKGROUND
Sleep disturbance in multiple sclerosis has received little research attention despite the potential influence it may have on disease impact.


OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence of sleep disorders in a large community sample of individuals with multiple sclerosis.


METHODS
A cross-sectional self-report survey of 1063 persons with multiple sclerosis. Sleep was assessed using the Women's Health Initiative Insomnia Rating Scale and Medical Outcomes Study Sleep measure.


RESULTS
The prevalence of sleep problems in multiple sclerosis is significantly higher than in the general population or other chronic diseases and may affect women with multiple sclerosis more than men.


CONCLUSIONS
Sleep disturbance should routinely be evaluated in patients with multiple sclerosis and new interventions developed.
Bamer
A M
AM
Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA. adigiaco@u.washington.edu
Johnson
K L
KL
Amtmann
D
D
Kraft
G H
GH
D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications*; D015995:Prevalence; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012913:Snoring / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014861:Washington / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult