Abstract
BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic inflammatory disease, causes joint pain and impairment and affects sleep. Sleep disturbances in RA patients can exacerbate pain perception, disease activity, and functional impairment and reduce quality of life. Sleep problems in RA patients, especially in rural areas, have rarely been studied. OBJECTIVE: The objective is to evaluate the prevalence of sleep disturbances in patients with RA and assess its correlation with disease activity, pain intensity, and functional disability. METHODS: A total of 98 RA patients who met the ACR/EULAR 2010 classification criteria participated in this cross-sectional analytical study. Data were collected on demographic variables, disease duration, and medication history. Sleep quality was assessed using the Medical Outcome Study Sleep Scale, while disease activity was measured using the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI). Pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and functional disability was measured using the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS V.21.0. RESULTS: Sleep disturbance was found in 28.6% of patients with RA. Individuals with sleep problems had significantly increased CDAI scores ( P < 0.001), longer disease duration ( P = 0.014), increased pain VAS scores ( P < 0.001), and greater functional impairment as assessed by the HAQ-DI. A significant association was found between sleep disturbance and increased physician and global VAS values ( P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Sleep disturbances are common in RA patients and are significantly associated with higher disease activity, pain intensity, and functional disability. Addressing sleep issues in RA management may improve overall patient outcomes and quality of life.