Poor sleep for partners of people with arthritis

People with osteoarthritis can prevent their partners from getting a good night’s sleep, says new research published in Pain.

Scientists recruited 145 couples in which one of each pair had osteoarthritis and moderate or high-intensity pain. They recorded pain levels, sleep quality and how rested they felt for 22 nights in a row.

Sleep quality was not linked to the severity of pain experienced the day before, but did correspond with discomfort the following morning.

There was a strong relationship between the level of pain and the quality of their partners’ sleep the same night.

“Sleep is a critical health behaviour, and individuals whose sleep is affected by their partner’s pain are at risk for physical and psychiatric problems,” says Dr Lynn Martire who led the research. “Spouses whose sleep is compromised may also be less able to respond empathically to patients’ symptoms and need for support.”