ABSTRACT
Medical and neurological disorders frequently have a significant impact on sleep, affecting overall well-being and quality of life. Further, the lack of restful or sufficient sleep may exacerbate the underlying disease itself. Numerous investigators have demonstrated increased prevalence of insomnia in subjects with somatic diseases (1-7). Furthermore, a National Sleep Foundation survey found that participants’ perception of their sleep quality was highly associated with their number of medical conditions (6). Although prevalence rates are variable, there is consensus that rates of chronic insomnia are higher in clinical populations than in the general population. While numerous disease processes may be associated with insomnia and poor sleep, some medical and neurological disorders have more consistent associations with sleep-related complaints. Chronic pain syndromes are also highly associated with insomnia and sleep disturbance, although this is not included in this chapter as it is discussed more fully in chapter 14.
