A practical approach to the diagnosis and management of sleep disorders in patients with multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) are at increased risk for comorbid sleep disturbances, which can profoundly contribute to poor functional status and fatigue. Insomnia, sleep-disordered breathing, and restless legs syndrome are among the most common sleep disorders experienced by patients with MS. Despite their impact, these underlying sleep disorders may escape routine clinical evaluations in persons with MS, thereby leading to missed opportunities to optimize functional status and quality of life in patients with MS. A practical, systematic approach to the evaluation and treatment of sleep disorders in MS, in the context of MS-specific variables that may influence risk for these conditions or response to therapy, is recommended to facilitate early diagnosis and successful treatment. This review summarizes the most common sleep disorders experienced by persons with MS, and offers a practical approach to diagnosis and management of these conditions.