Sleep disturbance in lumbar spinal stenosis

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the frequency of sleep disturbance in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis [LSS] and to reveal the relationship between the specific components of sleep disturbance and low back pain, physical disability, and psychological status in LSS.

Methods: Thirty-six LSS patients [14 males and 22 females] and 30 age-and gender-matched healthy normal controls [13 males and 17 females] were enrolled in the study. Sleep disturbance was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI]. Pain was measured using a visual analog scale [VAS, 0-100 mm]. Psychological status and physical disability were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS] and the Oswestry Disability Index [ODI].

Results: There were no significant differences between the LSS patients and the controls in terms of age or sex. The LSS patients had higher PSQI, HADS scores compared to the controls [p < 0.05]. Sleep disturbance [PSQI total score greater than 5] was positively correlated with VAS, HADS, and ODI [p < 0.05].

Conclusions: Sleep disturbance was associated with higher levels of pain, disability, depression, and anxiety. Sleep disturbance should be assessed when treating patients with LSS.