Correlation Between Atopic Dermatitis and Sleep Quality Among Adults in Saudi Arabia

Polysomnographic characteristics of sleep in adults with and without physician-diagnosed atopic dermatitis: results from the Study of Health in Pomerania

PURPOSE

To analyze sleep characteristics as measured with polysomnography (PSG) in adults from the general population with and without physician-diagnosed atopic dermatitis (AD).

METHODS

We analyzed data from participants from the German population-based Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP) TREND-0. AD was diagnosed in a standardized skin examination. The following polysomnographic parameters were measured: total sleep duration (min), sleep latency (min), wake after sleep onset (WASO; min), rapid eye movement (REM) latency (min), sleep efficiency (%), total number of wakefulness and movement episodes, stages of sleep (%), and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). Additionally, the subjective sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). We compared sleep characteristics of participants with and without AD.

RESULTS

Among 1187 participants, 47 (4.0%) had AD. We found no differences between participants with and without AD in any of the analyzed PSG parameters except for the total number of wakefulness and movement episodes and the percentage of REM sleep. Participants with AD had a higher number of wakefulness and movement episodes, and a lower proportion of REM sleep compared to those without AD. Regarding subjective sleep parameters, no significant differences were found between participants with and without AD.

CONCLUSION

Our data do not provide evidence for poor sleep quality in individuals with AD. Major limitations of the study include the unavailability of data on AD severity and the small number of participants with AD. Larger-scaled longitudinal studies considering disease severity and specific AD symptoms with an effect on sleep are required.

Sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and insomnia in patient with epilepsy: A single center experience from Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVES

To measure the burden of insomnia and daytime sleepiness (DTS) and their effects on sleep quality, and the risk factors of poor quality of sleep.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study of 218 epilepsy patients. We administered well-validated and previously translated questionnaires to assess sleep quality, insomnia, and DTS using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Insomnia Severity Index, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale, respectively.

RESULTS

Approximately 75% of participants reported poor sleep quality. Moreover, 42.2% did not have insomnia, while 37.6%, 17.9%, and 2.3% had subthreshold insomnia and clinical insomnia of moderate and severe severity, respectively. Roughly 64.2% of participants had normal sleep, 17.8% had an average amount of DTS, and 16.9% and 0.9% may and should seek medical attention, respectively. Compared to normal sleepers, patients with clinical insomnia were 5.45 times likely to experience poor sleep quality, whereas patients with an average amount of DTS and who were recommended to seek medical attention were 6.84 and 44.15 times likely to experience poor sleep quality, respectively. Patients who had seizures every month were 2.51 times likely to experience poor quality sleep, compared to patients who had seizures annually.

CONCLUSION

We found a higher prevalence of poor quality of sleep, insomnia, and excessive DTS in our sample of Saudi epilepsy patients.

Sleep problems during COVID-19 pandemic and its' association to psychological distress: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The emerging novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become one of the leading cause of deaths worldwide in 2020. The present systematic review and meta-analysis estimated the magnitude of sleep problems during the COVID-19 pandemic and its relationship with psychological distress.

METHODS

Five academic databases (Scopus, PubMed Central, ProQuest, ISI Web of Knowledge, and Embase) were searched. Observational studies including case-control studies and cross-sectional studies were included if relevant data relationships were reported (i.e., sleep assessed utilizing the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index or Insomnia Severity Index). All the studies were English, peer-reviewed papers published between December 2019 and February 2021. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020181644.

FINDINGS

168 cross-sectional, four case-control, and five longitudinal design papers comprising 345,270 participants from 39 countries were identified. The corrected pooled estimated prevalence of sleep problems were 31% among healthcare professionals, 18% among the general population, and 57% among COVID-19 patients (all p-values < 0.05). Sleep problems were associated with depression among healthcare professionals, the general population, and COVID-19 patients, with Fisher's Z scores of -0.28, -0.30, and -0.36, respectively. Sleep problems were positively (and moderately) associated with anxiety among healthcare professionals, the general population, and COVID-19 patients, with Fisher's z scores of 0.55, 0.48, and 0.49, respectively.

INTERPRETATION

Sleep problems appear to have been common during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, sleep problems were found to be associated with higher levels of psychological distress. With the use of effective programs treating sleep problems, psychological distress may be reduced. Vice versa, the use of effective programs treating psychological distress, sleep problems may be reduced.

FUNDING

The present study received no funding.