Polysomnographic and multiple sleep latency testing data in a large sample of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and their relationship with subjective scores

ABSTRACT

Background: Despite the majority of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) complaining about sleep disturbances and/or non-refreshing sleep, abnormalities in objective sleep parameters have not consistently been identified in this population. Purpose: To assess objective parameters of sleep and sleepiness in a large sample of patients with CFS and their relationship with the subjective dimensions of mental and physical health, sleep quality, daytime sleepiness and fatigue. Methods: Objective sleep parameters were derived from polysomnography (PSG) and multiple sleep latency testing (MSLT). Subjective scores for mental and physical health, sleep quality, daytime sleepiness and fatigue were based on validated, self-report questionnaires. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was performed to predict sleepiness, global quality of sleep and fatigue. Results: PSG in 184 CFS patients indicated decreased total sleep time and sleep efficiency as well as increased sleep latency and waking after sleep onset. Only a few modest but significant correlations (r’s < .30) were found between objective parameters of sleep and sleepiness and subjective scores for health, sleep quality and fatigue. Conclusions: Objective sleep parameters indicated poor sleep in CFS, suggesting an insomnia phenotype, but with only modest associations to subjective scores of mental and physical health, sleep quality, daytime sleepiness and fatigue.

KEYWORDS:

• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• daytime sleepiness
• insomnia
• sleep disorders
• unexplained chronic fatigue

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Els Tobback

Dr. Els Tobback is a bioengineer with a PhD in Veterinary Sciences. She works as a biomedical scientist and researcher in the field of sleep and chronic unexplained fatigue.

An N. Mariman

Dr. An Mariman is a psychiatrist and staff member of the Department of General Internal Medicine of the University Hospital Ghent.

Ignace P. Hanoulle

Ignace Hanoulle is a civil engineer and psychologist with a special interest in statistics.

Liesbeth M. Delesie

Liesbeth Delesie obtained a master degree in nursing sciences and is a registered nurse. She works as a scientific assistant in the field of sleep and chronic unexplained fatigue.

Dirk P. Vogelaers

Prof. Dr. Dirk Vogelaers is a specialist in general internal medicine and infectious diseases and head of the Department of General Internal Medicine of the University Hospital Ghent.

Dirk A. Pevernagie

Prof. Dr. Dirk Pevernagie is a pneumologist and the Medical Director of the Sleep Medicine Center of the Kempenhaeghe Foundation, at Heeze, The Netherlands. He is also an associate professor at Ghent University.