Title:Impact of Dimethylfumarate on Sleep in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: An
Actigraphic Study
Volume: 22
Issue: 7
Author(s): Chiara Rocchi*, Lucrezia Lombardi, Serena Broggi, Maura Chiara Danni, Simona Lattanzi, Giovanna Viticchi, Lorenzo Falsetti, Marco Bartolini, Mauro Silvestrini and Laura Buratti
Affiliation:
- Neurological Clinic, Marche Polytechnic University, Via Conca 71, Ancona 60020, Italy
Keywords:
Sleep, multiple sclerosis, dimethylfumarate, actigraphy, disease-modifying treatment, sleep disorders.
Abstract:
Background: Sleep disorders in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients are common. Dimethylfumarate
is an oral disease-modifying drug (DMT), whose impact on sleep is unknown.
Objective: The aim of this study was to characterize actigraphic patterns in MS patients treated with
dimethylfumarate.
Methods: Twenty relapsing-remitting MS patients with low to a mild disability, aged 20-50y, treated
with dimethylfumarate for more than 6 months, were enrolled. All subjects had no history of sleep
disorders. Actigraphy was used to study sleep patterns during a seven-day period. Sleep quality was
assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Twenty healthy subjects served as controls.
Results: Our results showed statistically significant differences between some actigraphic patterns in
MS patients treated with dimethylfumarate and healthy subjects, but the values for patients were still
within normal limits. PSQI score was higher in MS patients compared to controls.
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that dimethylfumarate, an oral DMT with a favourable benefit-risk
profile, does not strongly alter sleep patterns in MS patients with low to mild disability and with no
history of sleep disorders. Actigraphy is a simple diagnostic tool, able to support an objective measure
of sleep parameters. The simplicity of application may allow considering its use for a screening of
sleep disorders in MS patients.