Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Thesis Format

Monograph

Degree

Master of Science

Program

Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Supervisor

Barra, Lillian

2nd Supervisor

Stranges, Saverio

Co-Supervisor

Abstract

Vasculitis, characterized by inflammation and blood vessel destruction, is becoming a chronic condition due to improved treatments. Inadequate sleep is associated with the development of chronic outcomes like cardiovascular disease, impacting the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of vasculitis patients. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of diagnosed sleep disorders and other sleep disturbances using validated sleep questionnaires and explore factors associated with sleep disturbances, stratified by sex, in vasculitis patients. We administered an online survey of patients registered with the Vasculitis Patient-Powered Research Network. The study identified a high prevalence of sleep disorders and disturbances, including excessive daytime sleepiness, affecting daily activities. Pain and body mass index were significantly associated with sleep disturbances in both sexes. This is the largest study to date investigating sleep disturbances and the potential risk factors of sleep disturbances in vasculitis patients. Addressing these factors may improve sleep quality and the HRQoL.

Summary for Lay Audience

Vasculitis is characterized by inflammation and the destruction of blood vessels, leading to organ damage. Advancements in treatments have decreased mortality rates and changed the perception of vasculitis into a chronic illness. Sleep disturbances could contribute to the development of various chronic consequences, such as cardiovascular disease and mental illnesses, resulting in a decline in the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for patients with vasculitis. Several factors may be associated with sleep disturbances, including medications and manifestations in the nose and throat area. However, there is limited information about how inadequate sleep impacts physical and mental health in patients with vasculitis.

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of diagnosed sleep disorders and other sleep disturbances and explore factors associated with sleep disturbances, stratified by sex. We administered an web survey, including validated sleep questionnaires, and developed recruitment materials with input from a patient partner enrolled in the Vasculitis Patient-Powered Research Network.

Sleep disturbances were common in participants. This population presented a higher prevalence of diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), insomnia, and restless legs syndrome (RLS) than the general population. Males presented a higher prevalence of diagnosed OSA and increased risk of OSA, while females more commonly experienced diagnosed insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness, and daily functional impairment. In multivariable analyses, sleep disturbances among participants were associated with perceived financial difficulties, low physical activity, higher body mass index (BMI), smoking, history of mental illness and cardiovascular diseases, worse pain, severity of vasculitis symptoms, and kidney involvement. Higher BMI and worse pain had significant associations with sleep disturbances in both sexes. Compared to males, more factors were associated with sleep disturbances in females: perceived financial difficulties, low physical activity, history of mental illness, severity of vasculitis symptoms, and sino-nasal involvement. Addressing these sex-specific factors could improve sleep quality and ultimately enhance HRQoL in patients with vasculitis.

Project Video

Multimedia Format

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Available for download on Friday, July 31, 2026

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