[S01.001] Polysomnographic Investigation of Frequency of Sleep Disorders in Consecutive Unselected Fatigued and Non-Fatigued Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Christian P. Veauthier, Stralsund, Mecklenburg, Germany, Helena Radbruch, Gunnar Gäde, Berlin, Germany, Carsten Pfüller, Stralsund, Germany, Jan M. Dörr, Judith Bellmann-Strobel, Berlin, Germany, Jörn P. Sieb, Stralsund, Mecklenburg, Germany, Frauke Zipp, Friedemann Paul, Berlin, Germany

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively investigate the frequency of Sleep Disorders in unselected Multiple Sclerosis patients. BACKGROUND: Previous studies suggest that sleep disturbances are very common in MS. However, to date no polysomnographic investigations have been performed in unselected consecutive MS patients. DESIGN/METHODS: 224 unselected consecutive MS patients (age 22 to 69 years; EDSS 0 to 7,5) who were seen at our institutions from July 2008 to January 2009 were invited to participate in this prospective observational study. 133 of these completed the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS, mean 4.4) and the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS, mean 35) and other questionnaires. 66 of these (FSS mean 4.4; MFIS mean 37) participated in the complete polysomnographic study including neurological, physical and laboratory examinations, sleep diaries and two overnight home-based polysomnographys. An expert in sleep medicine, blinded to the patients`clinical status evaluated the polysomnographys. In one case because of daytime sleepiness multiple sleep latency test was performed additionally. RESULTS: In the polysomnography group, 26 patients had an MFIS score 45 (fatigue group). 25 of these had a sleep disorder (moderate or severe periodic limb movement syndrom, restless legs syndrome, moderate or severe insomnia, sleep disorders associated with mood disorder, sleep apnea syndrome, central alveolar hypoventilation syndrome, central sleep apnea syndrome) - 12 patients of this fatigue-group had two different sleep disorders. 40 patients were not fatigued (MFIS < 45); only 20 of these showed mostly mild sleep disorders. CONCLUSIONS/RELEVANCE: A large majority (96%) of fatigued patients had sleep disorders which may cause fatigue or tiredness. A sufficient treatment may therefore lead to an improvement of tiredness and fatigue. Home-based polysomnography is easy to realize and should be performed in all MS patients complaining of fatigue or tiredness. Moreover, our results may indicate that fatigue is a multifactorial syndrome which may be caused by or aggravated by sleep disorders. Supported by: Two of 3 polysomnographic devices were provided by Weinmann. The authors report no other funding and no other conflict of interest.
Category - MS and Related Diseases - Clinical Science

Tuesday, April 13, 2010 1:45 PM

Scientific Sessions: Multiple Sclerosis: Clinical Research I (1:45 PM-3:45 PM)