Undiagnosed Sleep Problems May Increase MS Patients’ Fatigue

A study conducted by the University of Michigan found that a large proportion of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients may have an undiagnosed sleeping disorder, increasing the fatigue often associated with the condition. Fifty-six percent of the 195 patients involved in the study were found to be at increased risk for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The research is based on patients’ answers from a sleep questionnaire designed by the authors of the study, which assessed daytime sleepiness, fatigue severity, insomnia severity and obstructive sleep apnea risk. Findings suggest that OSA may be a highly prevalent and under-recognized contributor to the fatigue experienced by MS sufferers, which can be one of the most disabling symptoms of MS. However, results from the study were not able to prove that the patients felt more fatigued because they had a high score on a sleep apnea risk survey, but rather they should prompt doctors to consider sleep apnea as a possible contributor to their patients’ fatigue. To read more about this study, click here.