Relationship between Sleep, Pain and Inflammatory Markers in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is known as a progressive chronic auto-immune disease. Measurement of inflammatory markers are applied for follow up the activity of disease. So determining factors that effects these markers such as sleep and pain can help to prevent the severity of disease. The aim of study was to determine the relationship between sleep disorders, pain and inflammatory markers in patients with RA.
Participants included 210 patients with RA referred to educational medical clinics of Imam Reza and Sina in Tabriz selected by convenience sampling. They were assessed by Sleep Disorders Questionnaire (SDQ) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Visual Analog Scale (VAS) also applied for pain measurement. Data were analyzed using SPSS ver.13 by descriptive and inferential statistics.
Most of participants (74%) were female, the mean age of participants was 48.41 years. The mean (SD) of sleepiness was 13.14 (5.6) and pain 6.09 (2.14). Significant relationship obtained between sleep disorders and pain. As well as sleep problems had significant relation with CRP. Also pain had significant correlation with inflammatory markers.
Sleep pattern in RA appears to be disrupted by pain. Pain severity and sleep problems can predict increasing inflammatory markers that can be a clues of intensity of disease. So relieving pain and improved sleep can decrease the intensity of disease.