High rates of fatigue and sleep disturbances in dystonia

Abstract

Background: Nonmotor symptoms in dystonia are increasingly recognized to impair the quality of life. The primary objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of fatigue and sleep disturbances in dystonia and to ascertain their impact on quality of life using standardized questionnaires. Methods: Dystonia patients presenting to a Botulinum toxin clinic were prospectively administered Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and Parkinson's Disease Sleep Scale (PDSS) for assessment of fatigue and sleep disturbances. Health-related Quality of life (HRQOL) was determined using MOS SF-36 scale and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory II. Results: Ninety-one patients with dystonia participated (66 women, 25 men, mean age 60 ± 17 years). Nine subjects had generalized dystonia, 18 segmental dystonia and 64 had focal dystonia. Moderate to severe fatigue was present in 43% of the cohort (FSS), excessive daytime somnolence in 27% (ESS) and other sleep disturbances in 26% (PDSS). FSS and MFI scores correlated significantly with HRQOL even when controlled for depression and sleep disturbances. Excessive daytime somnolence and nocturnal sleep disturbances correlated significantly with the HRQOL; however, these effects were not seen for daytime somnolence when controlled for depression. Psychometric testing found adequate reliabilities and convergent validities for both fatigue and sleep scales. Conclusion: Fatigue and sleep disturbances revealed high prevalence rates in this large, first of its dystonia study. They negatively impacted the quality of life even when controlled for comorbid depression.

KEYWORDS::

• fatigue
• dystonia
• sleep disturbances
• daytime somnolence

Acknowledgements

NIH/NCATS 8 KL2 TR000156-05 (BMK) and NIH KL2 TR000065 (AWS)

Declaration of Interest

B. M. Kluger: NIH/NCATS 8 KL2 TR000156-05;A. Wagle Shukla: NIH KL2 TR000065.

Declaration of Interest

Dr A Wagle Shukla has nothing to disclose. Ms. K Heese has nothing to disclose. Mr R Brown has nothing to disclose. Dr J Jones has nothing to disclose. Dr I Malaty has nothing to disclose. Dr RI Rodriguez has nothing to disclose. Dr MS Okun has nothing to disclose. Dr B Kluger has nothing to disclose. This study has no industry sponsorship.