Sleep quality among patients with chronic musculoskeletal disorders at Nghe An Provincial Friendship General Hospital

Abstract

Objective: To describe the sleep quality and identify selected factors associated with sleep quality among patients with chronic musculoskeletal disorders at Nghe An Provincial Friendship General Hospital in 2025. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 298 inpatients aged ≥ 18 years who were diagnosed with chronic musculoskeletal diseases (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, osteoporosis, ankylosing spondylitis, and systemic lupus erythematosus). Data were collected from March to August 2025 using a structured questionnaire covering general characteristics, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine factors associated with sleep quality. Results: The mean PSQI score was 10.88 ± 3.96 (range: 2–20), and 82.2% of patients had poor sleep quality. Mean sleep duration was 5.43 ± 1.07 hours, and habitual sleep efficiency was 68.98 ± 16.83%. The mean pain score on the VAS was 5.99 ± 2.18, with 55.0% of patients reporting severe pain. Regression analysis showed that pain intensity within the previous 24 hours (β = 0.292; p < 0.05) and income (β = −0.366; p < 0.05) were statistically significant predictors of sleep quality; the model explained 43.5% of the variance in PSQI scores (adjusted R² = 0.435). Conclusion: Sleep quality among patients with chronic musculoskeletal disorders was markedly poor and was primarily influenced by pain and socioeconomic conditions. Multimodal pain management, strengthened rehabilitation, and psychological support are recommended, with particular attention to low-income patients. Integrating routine sleep screening using the PSQI into clinical practice is necessary for early detection and timely intervention, thereby contributing to improved patient quality of life