2022 Volume 1 Issue 3 Pages 181-188
In patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), fatigue and sleep disturbances are important non-motor symptoms. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between fatigue and sleep disturbances in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). A total of 93 outpatients with PD (age, 69.7 ± 8.9 years) and 93 healthy controls (age, 69.6 ± 10.2 years) were included in this study. The participants completed the Parkinson Fatigue Scale (PFS), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Parkinson's disease sleep scale (PDSS) -2 and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) -II. For PD patients, the PD Questionnaire (PDQ-39) was used to evaluate quality of life. Fatigue was defined as a PFS score of 3.3 or greater. Fatigue was observed in 7.5% of healthy controls and 44.0% of PD patients (p < 0.001). In the healthy control group, subjects with fatigue were older than those without fatigue, but there was no difference in the PDSS-2, ESS or BDI-II scores. PD patients with fatigue had significantly higher scores of the ESS, BDI-II, PDQ-39 and PDSS-2 and greater motor symptoms compared with those without fatigue. Fatigue was associated with the PDSS-2 sub-item 2 (Difficulty falling asleep), item 10 (Pain in arms or legs), item 13 (Tremor on waking), item 14 (Tired and sleepy after waking in the morning) and item 15 (Snoring or difficulties in breathing). Logistic regression analysis showed that the PDSS-2 subitem 14 (Tired and sleepy after waking in the morning) and the PDQ-39 summary index were significant determinants for fatigue. In conclusion, we showed the significant relationship between fatigue and various aspects of PD-related nocturnal problems. Our findings emphasize the importance of fatigue assessment in patients with PD.
