The relationship of sleep parameters and pain level in patients with fibromyalgia

Introduction and Aim: Pain and sleep disorders are often seen symptoms in fibromyalgia. Higl levels of pain may cause sleep disorders in patients. Also, the pain may exacerbated due to the decrease of pain threshold in patients with sleep disorders. In this study, it was planned to evaluate symptoms such as pain and sleep disorders in fibromyalgia patients, and also to investigate the effect of sleeping habits on disease symptoms. Material and Methods: Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) was used to evaluate the disease effect in fibromyalgia patients. In addition, patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia and the control group were compared using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Patients with fibromyalgia were compared with the control group in terms of PSQI, ESS, and VAS in pairs. Correlation analyzes were performed between FIQ and ESS, VAS, and PSQI. Results: 60 individuals with fibromyalgia and 60 healthy controls were studied. Patient group had significantly greater PSQI, ESS, and VAS scores than the control group. Sleep latency was statistically significantly longer in the patient group compared to the control group; however, the duration of continuous night sleep was shorter. In the patient group, significant positive correlations were found between PSQI total score and VAS score, FEA total score. In addition, significant positive correlations were found between ESS and VAS score, FEA total score. Discussion and Conclusion: Fibromyalgia is a disease that is characterized by pain and affects sleep parameters. Our study reveals that sleep parameters are impaired in fibromyalgia patients. In addition, sleep disorders correlate with disease level. Recognition and treatment of sleep related disorders in fibromyalgia patients will play an important role in reducing patient stress and increasing treatment success. Keywords: Fibromyalgia, pain, sleep, sleep disorders.