Sleep disturbances in patients with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures

LATINI, MF; ODDO, S; ANZULOVICH AC; KOCHEN, S

San Luis

Congreso; SAN 2023; 2023

Introduction: Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) account for 20% of patientsreferred to epilepsy referral centers. An association between alterations in sleep-wakepatterns and PNES has been described. The aim of this study is to assess sleepdisturbances and associated parameters in a cohort of PNES patients compared toepilepsy controls.Methods: All consecutively admitted patients to the VEEG unit diagnosed with PNESbetween 2017 and 2020 were included. Controls with epilepsy were selected, matchedfor age and sex. Patients were evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index,Epworth Sleepiness Scale, a MEQ questionnaire and a sleep diary. Chi-squared test,paired t-test, and Pearson’s test were used for statistical analysis.Results: A total of 26 patients in the PNES group and 26 in the control group (CG) wereincluded in the study. Significantly worse sleep quality (P = 0.003) and increased daytimesleepiness (P = 0.04) were observed in the PNES group. No differences in chronotypewere observed among patients. The presence of nocturnal events was not associatedwith poorer sleep quality.Conclusions: Patients with PNES exhibit alterations in sleep quality and increaseddaytime sleepiness, which were not related to nocturnal events, sleep duration, or thehypnotic effects of medications. Correcting sleep disorders could prove useful inimproving the quality of life for these patients.