Background/Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the sleep quality and its influenced factors in patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS), and another purpose is to initially explore the clinical significance of serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in pSS patients.

Methods: A total of 111 pSS patients and 40 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled in a comparative study of sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI). Participants completed the following questionnaires including demographic, clinical and laboratory data, assessment of psychological conditions. Serum samples of 63 patients and 25 healthy controls among the all subjects were be collected and serum BDNF levels of them were be detected with ELISA kits.

Results: The frequency of sleep disorder was higher in the pSS patients(68.5%) than in the control subjects(25%).There were positive correlations among age, disease duration, pain, fatigue, anxiety/depression, Xerostomia, and sleep quality in pSS patients. Meanwhile, logistic regression models identified depression, EULAR SS Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI), sweating symptoms were independent risk factors for sleep disorders.

Mean serum levels of BDNF in pSS patients with sleep disorder were significantly higher than in healthy controls and negatively correlated directly with sleep quality in patients with pSS.

Conclusion: The majority of Chinese pSS patients suffered from poor sleep, which significantly impairs their quality of life. The data suggested the need for holistic assessment and management of pSS patients and the importance of objective interventions to improve their sleep quality and finally to lead a better life. BDNF is reduced in pSS patients with sleep disorders, and it may be a biomarker for predicting sleep disorders.

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ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/sleep-disorders-and-serum-brain-derived-neurotrophic-factor-levels-in-patients-with-primary-sjogrens-syndrome/