Sleep disturbances and pain among individuals with prescription opioid dependence

• We examined sleep functioning in prescription opioid (PO) dependent individuals and controls.
• Subjective sleep quality was reportedly less for the PO group than controls.
• As measured by actigraphy, objective sleep quality was less for PO group on 4 of 6 measures.
• This significant sleep impairment indicates the need for close assessment and treatment.

BackgroundPoor sleep quality has been observed in individuals with substance use disorders and is often a trigger for relapse. To date, little research has investigated sleep quality among individuals with prescription opioid (PO) dependence. The present study aimed to address this gap in the literature by examining subjective and objective sleep disturbances among PO dependent individuals.MethodsSubjects were 68 non-treatment seeking individuals (33 PO dependent, 35 healthy controls). Subjective sleep was assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Subjects were admitted for an overnight inpatient hospital stay during which objective sleep data was collected using an actigraphy device. Self-report pain was measured with the Brief Pain Inventory.ResultsSignificant group differences in subjective sleep quality were revealed in the PSQI (p < 0.01) and ISI (p < 0.01). Poor sleep quality (i.e., PSQI total score > 5) was identified in 80.6% of the PO group, as compared to 8.8% of the control group (p < .001). Significant group differences in sleep quality were identified in five of six actigraphy variables: total time asleep, sleep efficiency, latency of onset of sleep, total time awake and time mobile. Furthermore, significant associations between pain severity and sleep quality were observed.ConclusionsResults indicate high rates of sleep impairment and poor sleep quality among PO dependent individuals. Pain severity was significantly correlated with sleep quality. Although preliminary, the findings highlight the importance of assessing and treating sleep disturbances, as well as pain, among patients with PO dependence.