Sleep-wake problems and fatigue in retinitis pigmentosa: A scoping review

May 13, 2026Sleep medicine reviews

Sleep and tiredness issues in retinitis pigmentosa: an overview

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Circadian Biology on OpenScience ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Abstract

Forty publications from 1991 to 2024 identified sleep-wake problems and circadian disturbances in retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

Sleep-wake problems are frequently observed in individuals with RP.
The underlying mechanisms and management strategies for these sleep issues are not well understood.
Circadian rhythm disturbances are commonly associated with RP, but their clinical significance remains unclear.
Research on fatigue in RP is limited, with few studies addressing this aspect.
Current evidence for potential interventions is primarily based on preclinical models rather than clinical studies.

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Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of hereditary retinal disorders causing lifelong visual decline. Sleep-wake problems, fatigue, and circadian disturbances may represent modifiable contributors to disease burden, but the evidence remains fragmented and has not yet been systematically synthesised. This scoping review aimed to map current evidence and identify knowledge gaps to guide future research. A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library to identify publications addressing sleep-wake problems, fatigue, and circadian rhythm disturbances in RP. Forty publications published between 1991 and 2024 met the inclusion criteria, comprising both human (n = 32) and animal (n = 8) studies. Key data were extracted and findings synthesised thematically. The most common study designs were cross-sectional (n = 18) and experimental (n = 11). Current research suggests sleep-wake problems are frequent in RP, but their mechanisms and management remain poorly characterised. Circadian dysfunction has been frequently implicated, but its role and clinical relevance are still unclear, while other possible contributors have received limited attention. Evidence for interventions remains confined to preclinical models. Studies specifically addressing fatigue were scarce. Addressing these gaps may reveal potential pathways to enhance health outcomes and quality of life for people with RP.

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Sleep-wake problems and fatigue in retinitis pigmentosa: A scoping review

Abstract

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