Hip and knee osteoarthritis significantly associated with sleep problems

Allen KD, Renner JB, Devellis B, et al, Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, and other centers. Osteoarthritis and sleep: the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project. J Rheumatol. 2008;35:1102-1107.

Symptomatic hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA) are significantly associated with sleep problems independent of other factors (eg, self-rated health and depression). However, OA does not appear to be independently associated with severity of sleep difficulties.

Allen and colleagues examined the association of hip or knee OA with the prevalence of sleep problems in a large, community-based sample; 28% of 2682 participants had OA. Participants were asked whether they were "currently troubled by" insomnia (trouble falling asleep, trouble staying asleep, or waking early) or insufficient sleep (daytime sleepiness, not enough sleep, or not feeling rested). Annual frequency and cumulative days of sleep problems were calculated.

The unadjusted odds of having each specific sleep problem, as well as general categories, were significantly higher in participants who had hip or knee OA than in those who did not; in adjusted analyses, those with hip or knee OA remained 25% to 35% more likely to report having a sleep problem. Participants with symptomatic OA and sleep problems reported higher median numbers of annual and cumulative days of insomnia and insufficient sleep.

The authors noted that patients should be screened regularly for sleep difficulties, especially those with health problems, such as arthritis, that may increase the risk.