Nocturnal Pain in Elbow Disorders May Predict Sleep Quality - Report - MDSpire
Coming Soon: Introducing MDSpire News. Learn more
Conexiant’s news site is now MDSpire News. Learn more

Nocturnal Pain in Elbow Disorders May Predict Sleep Quality

  • By

  • Andrea Surnit

  • August 31, 2026

  • 3 min

Share

Nocturnal Pain in Elbow Disorders May Predict Sleep Quality

Overview

A study involving 664 patients with elbow disorders found that 81% reported nocturnal pain, which was associated with poor sleep quality. The mean Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score was 7, indicating significant sleep disturbances across various elbow pathologies.

Background

Elbow disorders can significantly impact patients' quality of life, with nocturnal pain being a common complaint. Poor sleep quality is linked to increased pain and functional disability, making it crucial to understand the relationship between these factors in managing elbow conditions.

Data Highlights

The study enrolled 664 adult patients with elbow disorders, with 81% reporting nocturnal pain. The mean PSQI score was 7, indicating poor sleep quality. Poor sleep was common across all major diagnostic categories, with up to 70% of patients exceeding the threshold for poor sleep quality.

Key Findings

  • 81% of patients with elbow disorders reported experiencing nocturnal pain.
  • The mean PSQI score was 7, exceeding the threshold for poor sleep quality.
  • Lateral epicondylar pain accounted for 66% of cases, followed by medial epicondylar pain and other conditions.
  • There were no statistically significant differences in PSQI scores among different elbow pathologies.
  • Worse sleep quality was associated with greater upper extremity disability and higher pain intensity.
  • Sleep quality was not significantly associated with age, sex, body mass index, or symptom duration.

Clinical Implications

Clinicians should assess sleep quality in patients with elbow disorders, as it may correlate with pain and functional impairment.

Conclusion

The study highlights the high prevalence of nocturnal pain and poor sleep quality in elbow disorders.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Schneider MM, et al., Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, 2026 -- Sleep quality and nocturnal pain in patients with elbow disorders: a prospective multicenter study
  2. Clinical Rheumatology — Nonlinear relationship between sleep midpoint and osteoarthritis: a cross-sectional study in US adults
  3. MDSpire News — One Night's Sleep May Predict 130 Diseases
  4. Frontiers in Psychiatry — Nocturnal Painful Erections, Erectile Dysfunction, and Associated Psychological Distress
  5. inside dentistry — The Gender Gap
  6. Nonlinear relationship between sleep midpoint and osteoarthritis: a cross-sectional study in US adults
  7. One Night's Sleep May Predict 130 Diseases
  8. Nocturnal Painful Erections, Erectile Dysfunction, and Associated Psychological Distress
  9. ACOEM Elbow Disorders
  10. Sleep quality and nocturnal pain in patients with elbow disorders: a prospective multicenter study - PubMed
  11. Simple decompression vs. subcutaneous anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve: the 2025 update on the optimal treatment for cubital tunnel syndrome - PMC
  12. Time-dependent comparative efficacy of non-surgical treatments for pain relief in lateral epicondylitis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis - PMC
  13. The bidirectional relationship between sleep problems and chronic musculoskeletal pain: a systematic review with meta-analysis - PubMed

Original Source(s)

Related Content