Researchers conducted a review of literature focused on psoriasis and sleep disturbances.

The findings, although inconclusive largely because of scant data concerning prevalence and the nature of sleep disturbances, led researchers to formulate suggestions to help the understanding of this complication in psoriatic patients.

The review paper, “Measurement, Classification and Evaluation of Sleep Disturbance in Psoriasis: A Systematic Review,” was published in PLOS One.

it is common knowledge that proper sleep is important for healthy function and that disturbed sleep, or lack of sleep, can cause some disease to progress. In fact,  long-term sleep disturbance can be a risk factor for certain illness such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease or depression.

Several research papers investigated sleep in people suffering from psoriasis.

One review studied disturbed sleeping cycles in people with psoriasis and concluded that mood, depression, obstructive sleep apnea, itch and pain were likely causes of disturbed sleep cycles.

Another review systematically analyzed scientific publications concerning sleeping and dermatology that focused on itching. The researchers concluded that skin temperature, circadian rhythms and psychological factors, like depression could influence itch – can cause disrupted sleeping cycles. In one of the reports, psoriasis and sleeping disorders demonstrated higher prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea and restless leg, although risks of increased insomnia remained inconclusive.

Although the review studies provide some insight into the characteristics and predictor factors of sleeping cycles in people with psoriasis, the majority were non scientific.

The authors were unable to confirm conclusions about the precise prevalence and nature of sleep disturbance within the psoriasis population.