Objective: To evaluate the sleep habits and everyday lifestyle of Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients compared to the healthy population.

Background: Sleep disturbances are common non-motor symptoms of PD and significantly affect patients’ quality of life. In addition to disease-related neurodegenerative mechanisms, lifestyle habits and daily routines may influence sleep. Understanding behavioral and lifestyle differences between patients with PD and healthy individuals may contribute to an improved management approach.

Method: Case-control study which included 131 PD patients and 131 age- and sex-matched controls. All participants completed a standardized questionnaire collecting demographic data, medication use, personal medical history, and items related to sleep habits and lifestyle factors.

Results: Fewer patients with PD reported regular coffee consumption (p=0.025) and alcohol intake (p=0.004). Additionally, a significantly smaller proportion of PD patients considered themselves to be physically active compared to controls (p<0.001). Regarding sleep habits, more PD patients reported the absence of a regular sleep routine, compared to controls (p=0.041). The use of sleep medication was also significantly higher among PD patients (35.87% vs. 9.92% in controls, p<0.001). A small number of PD patients reported weight loss associated with sleep disturbances. PD patients reported several differences in lifestyle habits and sleep-related behaviors compared with controls. Fewer patients with PD reported regular coffee consumption (p=0.025) and alcohol intake (p=0.004). Additionally, a significantly smaller proportion of PD patients considered themselves to be physically active compared to controls (p<0.001). Regarding sleep habits, more PD patients reported the absence of a regular sleep routine, compared to controls (p=0.041). The use of sleep medication was also significantly higher among PD patients (35.87% vs. 9.92% in controls, p<0.001). A small number of PD patients reported weight loss associated with sleep disturbances.

Conclusion: PD patients exhibit different lifestyle and sleep-related behavioral habits compared to controls, including reduced consumption of coffee, lower physical activity, less consistent sleep routines, and increased use of sleep medication. These findings highlight the importance of assessing lifestyle factors and sleep hygiene when evaluating and managing sleep disturbances in PD.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/sleep-habits-and-lifestyle-factors-in-people-with-parkinsons-disease-compared-with-healthy-controls/