Beyond pain: sleep quality impairment in lumbosacral radiculopathy

Aims: Lumbosacral radiculopathy is one of the major causes of neuropathic pain, and sleep quality may be impaired secondary to neuropathic pain in these patients. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between neuropathic pain and sleep quality in patients with lumbosacral radiculopathy. Methods: In this retrospective study, 30 patients with lumbosacral radiculopathy detected on magnetic resonance imaging were included. All patients were electrophysiologically evaluated for lumbosacral radiculopathy. The Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN4) questionnaire was used to assess neuropathic pain, and the Jenkins Sleep Scale was administered to evaluate sleep quality. A DN4 score of 4 or higher indicates neuropathic pain. Patients with a Jenkins Sleep Scale score of <9 were assigned to the mild sleep impairment group, whereas those with a score >9 were assigned to the moderate-to-severe sleep impairment group. Results: Thirty patients (12 males, 18 females) diagnosed with lumbosacral radiculopathy based on neuroimaging findings were included in the study. Electrophysiological findings confirmed lumbosacral radiculopathy in 17 patients. Neuropathic pain was present in all patients. Impaired sleep quality was observed in patients with higher neuropathic pain scores. A positive correlation was found between DN4 scores and Jenkins Sleep Scale scores (p=0.006, r=0.487) Conclusion: Neuropathic pain associated with lumbosacral radiculopathy may lead to impaired nocturnal sleep quality. The relationship between neuropathic pain and sleep quality may be associated with the severity and duration of neuropathic pain. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to clarify this relationship.