Sleep disturbances in newly diagnosed patients with early stages of Parkinson’s disease

Abstract

According to numerous worldwide studies, patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) often experience sleep disturbances, the most common of which are insomnia and excessive daytime sleepiness. The purpose of this study was to determine the quantitative and qualitative profile of sleep disorders in patients with the newly diagnosed PD, stages 1 and 2 according to Hoehn and Yahr. The assessment was carried out using the SCOPA-SLEEP scale. The study involved 95 people: 56 patients with a newly diagnosed PD, who had not previously received treatment (main group), and 39 individuals from the control group. Results. The profile of nocturnal sleep disturbances in PD patients was characterized by various symptoms: difficulty falling asleep (62,5%), night awakening (51,8%), long lying awake (57,1%), early awakening (50,0%), feeling lack of sleep (46,4%). In women, irrespective of the form and stage of PD, disturbances in nighttime sleep were found more often. Daytime hypersomnia among healthy volunteers was observed only in 5 participants (12,8%). The profile of daytime hypersomnia in PD patients was diverse: unexpected falling asleep during the day (n = 15, 26,8%), falling asleep in a calm environment (n = 17, 30,4%) or while reading and watching TV (n = 18, 32,1%). Difficulties in maintaining wakefulness during the day were noted by 13 patients (n = 13, 23,2%) with PD, and 4 patients (7,2%) reported difficulties due to excessive daytime sleepiness. Thus, given the prevalence and profile of dyssomnias, sleep disturbances may be an important sign of PD.