Quality of sleep in young onset Parkinson's disease: Any difference from older onset Parkinson's disease

• Literature on the quality of sleep in YOPD is limited.
• Overall better quality of sleep in patients with YOPD.
• Lesser incidence of insomnia, nightmares, daytime sleepiness and restlessness during sleep in patients with YOPD.

BackgroundSleep disorders occur commonly in Parkinson's disease and are often under-recognized and under treated in clinical practice.ObjectivesTo determine the quality of sleep in patients with Young onset Parkinson's disease (YOPD) and to note whether there is any difference in quality of sleep from those patients with older onset Parkinson's disease (OOPD).MethodsOne hundred and fifty six patients with Parkinson's disease (YOPD-51, OOPD-105) were clinically examined and quality of sleep was determined using Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), Parkinson's disease Sleep Scale (PDSS) and Epworth Sleep Scale (ESS). Other scales included Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale -part III (UPDRS-III), Hoehn & Yahr Stage, Mini Mental Status Examination, Hamilton anxiety rating scale and Hamilton depression rating scale.ResultsThe frequency of insomnia was higher in OOPD (55.2%) as compared to YOPD (27.5%) group (p = 0.001). The frequency of nightmares was lower in YOPD (7.8%) when compared to OOPD (24.8%) group (p = 0.012). The mean hours of actual sleep per night were higher in YOPD patients. Global PSQI score was better in YOPD indicating good overall sleep quality in YOPD patients. The total ESS score was significantly lower in YOPD (p = 0.019). The total PDSS score was significantly better in YOPD patients (p = 0.018).ConclusionsPatients with YOPD had an overall better quality of sleep with lesser incidence of insomnia, nightmares, daytime sleepiness and restlessness during sleep.