Prevalence of Sleep Disorders among Omani Patients with Multiple Sclerosis, Tertiary Hospital Experience

Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is acquired chronic demyelinating central nervous disorders which affect both white matter as well as gray matter leading to neurodegeneration. MS is associated with several comorbidities including fatigue, sleep disorders, cognitive dysfunction, and mood disorders. We aim to study the prevalence of various sleep disorders among MS patients and study their relation with clinical features, fatigue, and mood disorders. Methods: This is a cross sectional study to be conducted at SQUH where eligible consented MS patients will be asked to answer a survey which include validated questionnaires to assess sleep apnea risk, severity of fatigue, presence of restless leg syndrome and presence of anxiety/depression. In addition, patients will wear actigraphy watch for 7 days as well as will do an overnight limited (home) sleep study (level 3). Patients suspected to have narcolepsy will undergo as well multiple sleep latency study. Outcome: This is the first study of its kind in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. We hope that our data will highlight the magnitude of sleep disorders among this group of patients in this region and will enable us to stratify those MS patients at higher risk to develop such comorbidities to be further investigated and treated.