Poor sleep quality is common in people with interstitial lung disease

People with interstitial lung disease (ILD) have poorer sleep quality than other people, which may lead to depression and anxiety, according to new research published in the European Respiratory Journal.

People with ILD have scarring (also known as fibrosis) in their lungs. This makes it harder for them to breath, and the scarring can get worse over time.

In this study, researchers measured the quality of sleep in people with ILD, as well as the effects of poor sleep on wellbeing. They asked over one hundred people with ILD about their sleep habits, and about their general health and wellbeing.

The study showed that poor sleep quality was common for people with ILD, with around two thirds of people having poor quality sleep. These people often reported taking a long time to get to sleep, waking up often in the night, and sleeping for shorter amounts of time.

The researchers also found that those with poor sleep were more likely to have signs of depression and anxiety, and were more likely to report being sleepy during the day.

This research suggests that it is important for doctors to consider helping people with ILD to improve their sleep. More research with more people is needed to understand the causes of poor sleep for people with ILD, and what treatments could be helpful.

Read the full journal article

Read our factsheet on idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (a type of interstitial lung disease)

Read our factsheet on interstitial lung disease in children