Nocturnal Pain in Elbow Disorders May Predict Sleep Quality

Prospective multicenter study found poorer sleep quality was associated with greater pain and functional disability across common elbow conditions.

1

The study enrolled 664 adult patients with elbow disorders to assess the relationship between nocturnal pain and sleep quality.
2

Eighty-one percent of patients reported nocturnal pain, with a mean Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score of 7, indicating poor sleep quality.
3

Poor sleep quality was associated with greater upper extremity disability and higher pain intensity, regardless of specific elbow diagnoses.
4

Subgroup analyses revealed that up to 70% of patients across major diagnostic categories had PSQI scores indicating poor sleep quality.
5

The study acknowledged limitations, including reliance on self-reported sleep quality and exclusion of patients with known mood or sleep disorders.

1