Sleep Disorders may Worsen Outcomes in Patients With Severe Asthma: Study

Written By : Dr. Shravani Dali Published On 2025-12-25T20:45:30+05:30 | Updated On 25 Dec 2025 8:45 PM IST

Registry-based data indicate that comorbid sleep disorders are common in severe asthma and are associated with significantly worse clinical outcomes. In this study, 26.1% of patients with severe asthma had a sleep disorder, and affected individuals experienced more frequent exacerbations, poorer asthma control, reduced quality of life, and higher healthcare utilization, independent of lung function severity. Obesity emerged as a significant risk factor for the presence of sleep disorders in this population.

This study aims to evaluate the link between sleep disorders and patients with severe asthma enrolled in the Severe Asthma Network Italy (SANI) registry. We investigated the prevalence and the overall disease burden sleep disorders in severe asthmatics, identifying their clinical features, risks factors and treatable traits. Patients and Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis using data from the SANI registry, stratifying patients based on the presence or absence of sleep disorders at their baseline visit, to gather their clinical, functional, and demographic information.

Results: About 26.1% of severe asthmatics have concomitant sleep disorders, especially overweight patients. Severe asthmatic patients with sleep disorders have significantly more frequent rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis with (CRSwNP and without nasal polyps (CRSsNP), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type II diabetes. These patients more frequently use intranasal corticosteroids and show higher exacerbation rate needing systemic corticosteroids. They show less severe lung function impairment but worse asthma control and quality of life, increased asthma-related hospital admission and number of unscheduled medical visits. Multivariate analysis shows that overweight, moderate-to-severe rhinitis, CRSwNP, CRSsNP, GERD and CVD are independent risk factors for sleep disorders.

Conclusion: Sleep disorders are a common and relevant feature among patients with severe asthma. The two diseases influence each other worsening the severity of symptoms, quality of life and overall healthcare burden. These data suggest that, treating comorbidities, including sleep disorders, might result in a better management of asthma and so a better health outcome.

Reference:

Ferri S, Marzio V, Cavaglià E, Valli N, Bagnardi V, Oriecuia C, Sala I, Cardini C, Sirena C, Paoletti G, Blasi F, Paggiaro P, Canonica GW, Heffler E. Severe Asthma and Sleep Disorders: A Severe Asthma Network Italy (SANI) Registry Analysis. J Asthma Allergy. 2025;18:1661-1673

https://doi.org/10.2147/JAA.S558611

Keywords:

comorbidities, real world evidence, registry, severe asthma, sleep disorders,Ferri S, Marzio V, Cavaglià E, Valli N, Bagnardi V, Oriecuia C, Sala I, Cardini C, Sirena C, Paoletti G, Blasi F, Paggiaro P, Canonica GW, Heffler E

comorbiditiesreal world evidenceregistrysevere asthmasleep disordersFerri SMarzio VCavaglià EValli NBagnardi VOriecuia CSala ICardini CSirena CPaoletti GBlasi FPaggiaro PCanonica GWHeffler E

Source : Journal of Asthma Allergy.

Dr. Shravani Dali

Dr. Shravani Dali has completed her BDS from Pravara institute of medical sciences, loni. Following which she extensively worked in the healthcare sector for 2+ years. She has been actively involved in writing blogs in field of health and wellness. Currently she is pursuing her Masters of public health-health administration from Tata institute of social sciences. She can be contacted at editorial@medicaldialogues.in.