Assessing sleep-related breathing disorders among newly diagnosed rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis patients: a cross-sectional study

This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors for sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBD) in newly diagnosed, untreated rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients, and to develop a screening algorithm for early detection. We evaluated newly diagnosed RA or PsA patients using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) questionnaire, cardiorespiratory polygraphy (RPG), and clinical and laboratory assessments. Sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) was diagnosed based on pathological RPG findings excessive daytime sleepiness, defined as ESS score above 10. The study included 39 patients (22 RA, 17 PsA) and 23 controls. In RPG, SRBD was identified in 38.5