Does sleep disturbance and quality of life improve after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair?

Abstract

Aim: The primary aim of this study was to investigate sleep disturbance preoperatively and postoperatively in patients with rotator cuff tear (RCT). Material and Methods: A total of 69 patients who were treated with full arthroscopic intervention for RCT were included in this study. Sleep disturbance and shoulder functions were analyzed. The outcome measurements were Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) scale, and Constant and Murley Shoulder Score (CSS). These measurements were performed preoperatively and after a minimum 2 years of follow-up. Results: This study included a total of 69 patients comprising 32 men and 37 women with a median age of 54 (35–77) years. The mean follow-up period was 29.8 (range, 24–41) months. Preoperative sleep disturbance was reported in 92.7% of patients (n, 64/69), with a mean (±standard deviation [SD]) PSQI score of 10 (±3.5), while 37.7% of patients (n, 26/69), with a mean (±SD) PSQI score of 5.4 (±2.8), had postoperative sleep disturbance. Sleep disturbance significantly improved in the postoperative period (p<0.0001). The ASES score and CSS were significantly improved after the follow-up period (p<0.0001, p<0.0001). Sleep improvement was poor in massive tear compared with other tear types. The coexistence of diabetes and hypertension (n=12) was an independent factor for sleep disturbance (p=0.012). Conclusion: Sleep disturbance in patients with RCT improved after arthroscopic repair. Sleep quality improvement was correlated with ASES score and CSS. Massive RCT and concomitant DM and HT negatively affected sleep improvement.