# 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.

## Key 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.