2023-10-03 21:07:25
New Research Shows Sleep Problems in Usher Syndrome Patients Not Related to Vision Loss
Until now, it has been believed that sleep and fatigue issues in patients with Usher syndrome are a result of their efforts to compensate for their limited vision combined with hearing loss. However, a recent study conducted by researchers at Radboud university medical center suggests that this assumption may be incorrect.
The researchers collected data on health problems in 56 patients with Usher syndrome type 2A (USH2A) and compared it with data from 120 healthy individuals. The findings revealed that USH2A patients experienced poor sleep quality more frequently than those in the control group. They also exhibited a higher prevalence of sleep disorders, increased daytime sleepiness, and fatigue.
Interestingly, the severity of the sleep problems was not found to be linked to the severity of the visual impairment. This aligns with the experiences of USH2A patients, who reported having sleep problems even before their visual impairment began.
The researchers suggest that these results indicate that sleep problems are an inherent characteristic of USH2A and not a consequence of limited vision. To further investigate this hypothesis, they plan to examine an existing zebrafish model for Usher syndrome.
The recognition of sleep problems as a part of Usher syndrome could have significant implications, including potential changes to insurance coverage. Currently, health insurers often do not cover the treatment of sleep problems in USH2A patients. However, with the recognition of sleep difficulties as an essential aspect of the syndrome, insurers may be more inclined to reimburse its treatment.
The study, titled “Evaluation of Sleep Quality and Fatigue in Patients with Usher Syndrome Type 2a,” was published in the journal Ophthalmology Science. The researchers hope that their findings will contribute to a better understanding of Usher syndrome and lead to improved care for patients living with this rare genetic disorder.
Image: nikkimeel / Getty Images / iStock.
Reference:
Hendricks JM, Metz JR, Velde HM, et al. Evaluation of Sleep Quality and Fatigue in Patients with Usher Syndrome Type 2a. Ophthalmology Science. 2023;100323.]
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