Background: Sleep disturbance occurs in up to 96% of patients with established Parkinson's disease (PD). We aimed to assess the prevalence of sleep disturbance in newly diagnosed PD.
Methods: Newly diagnosed PD patients and controls were recruited. Patients had motor, non-motor, and sleep assessments, including sleep questionnaires, respiratory home monitoring, actigraphy, and sleep diaries. Controls completed cognitive assessments, sleep questionnaires, and diaries.
Results: A total of 106 patients and 99 controls participated. Sleep questionnaire scores were no different between patients and controls. Daytime naps were increased in PD patients on sleep diaries (P > 0.003). Sleepiness was not associated with any motor or non-motor symptom. Periodic limb movements were increased but not associated with restless legs.
Conclusions: Newly diagnosed PD patients had minimal differences in subjective or objective sleep disturbance compared to controls apart from increased daytime naps and symptoms such as dream-enacting behaviors of punching or grabbing. This contrasts with the literature assessing sleep in those with established PD.