Association between sleep quality and quality of life among patients with multiple sclerosis: A cross-sectional study

Aims This study aimed to examine the association between sleep quality and the physical and mental components of quality of life and to identify correlates of the Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods In this analytical cross-sectional study, 234 patients with MS were enrolled. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and quality of life was measured using the SF-36 questionnaire. Pearson correlation analyses and simple and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to evaluate the associations between sleep quality and PCS and MCS. Results Of the participants, 85.9% were female, and 79.35% had poor sleep quality. Simple linear regression analyses showed that the overall PSQI score was significantly associated with PCS (B = −1.74, p < 0.001, 95% CI: −2.42 to −1.07). Similarly, sleep quality was significantly associated with MCS (B = −2.21, p < 0.001, 95% CI: −2.72 to −1.71). Other demographic, clinical, and lifestyle factors significantly associated with quality of life (p < 0.05) included age, education level, daily duration of physical activity, use of electronic devices, presence of comorbid chronic pain, and time since the last MS relapse. Furthermore, the PSQI components “sleep disturbances,” “daytime dysfunction,” and “use of sleeping medication” were significantly associated with quality of life. Conclusion These findings suggest that sleep quality is closely associated with the physical and mental components of quality of life in patients with MS. Consequently, integrating routine sleep assessment into comprehensive MS care may be a beneficial strategy for improving patient functioning.