Type-specific effects of orofacial pain on sleep quality: a cross-sectional clinical study

TL;DR

This study found that certain types of orofacial pain, like neuropathic and mucosal pain, significantly worsen sleep quality, with gender and age also playing a role.

Contribution

The study identifies type-specific effects of orofacial pain on sleep quality, highlighting neuropathic and mucosal/cutaneous pain as most impactful.

Findings

Neuropathic and mucosal/cutaneous pain groups had significantly higher sleep disturbance scores.

Females reported worse sleep latency, disturbances, and daytime dysfunction than males.

Age showed weak but significant correlations with specific sleep parameters.

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to assess the impact of different types of
orofacial pain on sleep quality and to examine the influence of age and gender on
sleep-related parameters. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 400
patients with orofacial pain presenting to the Faculty of Dentistry, Fırat
University, were included. Participants were divided into eight pain categories:
pulpal, periodontal, impacted tooth-related, dental implant-related,
temporomandibular disorder-related, mucosal/cutaneous, neuropathic, and
oncologic. Pain intensity was measured using the Numeric Rating Scale, and sleep
quality was assessed via the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).
Non-parametric tests and correlation analyses were used for statistical
evaluation. Results: The mean age was 33.62 ± 13.06 years, and
66.8% were female. The mean global PSQI score was 5.56 ± 2.84. Neuropathic
and mucosal/cutaneous pain groups demonstrated significantly higher PSQI scores,
especially in sleep latency and disturbances (p < 0.05). Females had
significantly higher scores in sleep latency, disturbances, and daytime
dysfunction than males (p < 0.05). Age was weakly but significantly
correlated with several PSQI components. Conclusions: Neuropathic and
mucosal/cutaneous pain types were associated with the most detrimental effects on
sleep quality. Gender and age were also found to influence specific sleep
parameters.

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