Factors Influencing Sleep Disturbance in Patients With Parkinson's Disease

Background: Patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) experience various types of sleep disturbances, and exhibit multiple risk factors for sleep disturbances. However, few studies have considered the demographic and psychosocial factors related to sleep disturbances in Korean PD patients. This study investigated the characteristics of sleep disturbance and related factors, including demographic and psychosocial factors, in Korean PD patients. Methods: A population of 181 PD patients was studied; all agreed to be interviewed using structured questionnaires. Results: The Parkinson’s Disease Sleep Scale (PDSS) score was not correlated with sex, age, educational level, marital status, household income, or the presence of religion, a job, or a hobby. With regard to psychosocial factors, the PDSS score was positively correlated with the Self-Esteem Score and the Social Support Score. The PDSS score was negatively correlated with the Parkinson Fatigue Scale score, the pain score, the Beck Depression Index, and the Spielberger Anxiety Score. On stepwise multiple regression analysis, the most significant factors contributing to low PDSS scores were severe anxiety, a shorter duration of levodopa therapy, severe fatigue, and a higher daily levodopa dosage, in that order. Conclusions: Sleep disturbance in PD patients was significantly associated with anxiety, fatigue, and daily levodopa dosage, suggesting that these factors should be carefully managed in PD patients. J Korean Neurol Assoc 31(4):239-245, 2013