ABSTRACT
A fair number of sleep disorders are associated with peripheral neuropathies due to various mechanisms. Our aim was to assess different patterns of sleep disturbances in polyneuropathy patients. We studied the sleep architecture and sleep abnormalities in 20 polyneuropathy patients of different etiologies and 20 healthy control subjects. All patients and controls underwent clinical assessment and electromyographic and polysomnographic testing. Results revealed 40% of the patients reported positive sleep complaints mostly in the form of muscle cramps, numbness and tingling sensations in lower limbs and leg restlessness. The percentages of stages 1 and 2 were significantly increased and SWS was significantly reduced in patients compared to controls, the apnea /hypopnea index were increased specially in REM and 25% of the patients had a significant pathological periodic limb movement index [PLMI]. We concluded that sleep disordered breathing and periodic leg movements during sleep are not uncommon and important to recognize in patients with polyneuropathy and can cause frequent and increased awakenings