Sleep troubles are not just a minor annoyance for people with rheumatoid arthritis. A new analysis shows that sleep problems hit 60.9% of adults with this condition across the Eastern Mediterranean region. This means more than six out of ten people struggle with poor sleep quality, insomnia, or daytime sleepiness.
The study looked at 2,315 participants from countries in the World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Region. It found that depression was the strongest link to sleep trouble. People with depression were 2.65 times more likely to have sleep issues. Pain and fatigue were also major factors, doubling the risk of poor sleep.
Women and older adults faced higher risks as well. Female gender increased the odds by 1.67 times, while older age raised the odds by 1.42 times. The researchers noted that the data came from many different sources with varying methods. This variety makes the exact numbers less precise. Still, the message is clear: sleep problems are a huge burden for this group.
Doctors should screen for sleep issues routinely. Management needs to involve multiple specialists and respect local cultural habits. The findings reflect the overall burden of sleep trouble rather than a single specific disorder.