Disease-modifying therapies do not affect sleep quality or daytime sleepiness in a large Australian MS cohort

Jason A Turner; Laura L Laslett; Christine Padgett; Chai K Lim; Bruce Taylor; Ingrid van der Mei; Cynthia A Honan

doi:10.1016/j.msard.2023.104902

Disease-modifying therapies do not affect sleep quality or daytime sleepiness in a large Australian MS cohort

Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2023 Oct:78:104902. doi: 10.1016/j.msard.2023.104902. Epub 2023 Jul 17.

Authors

Jason A Turner¹, Laura L Laslett², Christine Padgett¹, Chai K Lim³, Bruce Taylor², Ingrid van der Mei², Cynthia A Honan⁴

Affiliations

¹ School of Psychological Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart and Launceston, Australia.
² Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia.
³ Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
⁴ School of Psychological Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart and Launceston, Australia; Launceston General Hospital, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia. Electronic address: Cynthia.Honan@utas.edu.au.

PMID: 37517312
DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2023.104902

Abstract

Background: Poor sleep is common in multiple sclerosis (MS) and may impact daily functioning. The extent to which disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) contribute to sleep outcomes is under-examined.

Objective: To compare the effects of DMTs on sleep outcomes in an Australian cohort of people with MS and investigate associations between DMT use and beliefs about sleep problems and daily functioning (social functioning and activity engagement).

Methods: Sleep outcomes were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. DMT use and functioning were self-reported.

Results: Of 1,715 participants, 64% used a DMT. No differences in sleep outcomes were detected between participants who did and did not use DMTs, the type of DMT used (lower vs higher efficacy, interferon-β vs other DMTs), the timing of administration, or adherence to standard administration recommendations. Beliefs that DMT use worsened sleep were associated with poorer sleep quality and perceptions that sleep problems interfered with daily functioning.

Conclusion: The use of a DMT does not appear to affect self-reported sleep outcomes in people with MS. However, beliefs that DMT use makes sleep worse were associated with poorer sleep quality and increased interference in daily functioning, suggesting a need for education to diminish negative perceptions of DMT use.

Keywords: Activities of daily living; Daytime sleepiness; Disease-modifying therapy; Multiple sclerosis; Sleep quality; Social functioning.