Increased adiposity and impaired sleep are associated with severity of greater trochanteric pain syndrome: a cross-sectional study

Background: To investigate the feasibility and clinical validity of a digital anthropometric approach for body size and composition assessment in patients with greater trochanteric pain syndrome and to examine physical, sleep, and pain characteristics in different subgroups of patients. Methods: A convenience sample of 62 female patients was recruited. Administration of questionnaires, pain drawing analysis, evaluation of physical performance, body size and composition assessments were performed. Results: Pain intensity was significantly higher during evening (median value of 5) compared to both morning and afternoon (median values of 4). The median values of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) global score and of sleep duration were 9.0 and 6.0 h, respectively. The median values of body fat percentage and fat mass index were 35.2% and 9.4 kg/m2. Significant differences were observed between different subgroups of patients (low vs. high severity of tendinopathy-related disability) for the following variables: PSQI global score and proportion of patients with poor sleep quality (PSQI score > 5), body mass index, waist circumference, body roundness index, hip circumference, and fat mass index. Conclusion: Tendinopathic patients presented an impairment of sleep quality and quantity and an increased central adiposity that can be documented through clinimetric and body composition assessments.