ARE SLEEP DISRUPTION AND BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS RELATED IN CHILDREN WITH EPILEPSY?
Abstract number :
1.189
Submission category :
Year :
2002
Submission ID :
432
Source :
www.aesnet.org
Presentation date :
12/7/2002 12:00:00 AM
Published date :
Dec 1, 2002, 06:00 AM
Authors :
David W. Dunn, Joan K. Austin, Susan M. Perkins, Nancy Spencer. Departments of Psychiatry and Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN; Environments for Health, Indiana University School of Nursing, Indianapolis, IN; Division of
RATIONALE: Children with epilepsy have more behavioral problems and more sleep disturbances than children in the general population. Previous studies have shown changes in sleep architecture, excessive daytime sleepiness, poor quality sleep, and parasomnias in children with epilepsy. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between behavioral problems and sleep disorders in children with epilepsy.
METHODS: We identified 174 children with chronic seizures currently on antiepileptic drugs. The children were 9 to 14 years of age and had seizures for a mean duration of 5.2 years (SD 3.9). Problems with sleep were determined using the 6 questions concerning sleep (nightmares, overtired, sleeps less than most kids, sleeps more than most kids, talks or walks in sleep, trouble sleeping) on the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Behavior was assessed using the CBCL, Child Depression Inventory, and Piers-Harris Self-concept Scale. Differences in behavioral scores were compared for children with and without sleep disturbance using [underline]t[/underline]-tests.
RESULTS: Compared to children without sleep problems, the mean scores for CBCL Total Behavior, Internalizing, and Externalizing scales were significantly higher for children with each of the six sleep problems (p[lt]0.001 for 5/6 Total Behavior mean scores, 6/6 Internalizing mean scores, and 3/6 Externalizing mean scores; p[lt]0.05 for 1/6 Total Behavior mean scores and 3/6 Externalizing mean scores). Children with nightmares and trouble sleeping had more depression (nightmares, p[lt]0.002; trouble sleeping, p[lt]0.02) and poorer self-concepts (nightmares, p[lt]0.002; trouble sleeping, p[lt]0.04) than those without sleep disturbances.
CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant association between behavioral problems and sleep disturbance in children with epilepsy. The presence of behavioral problems should trigger assessment of sleep in children with seizures.
[Supported by: NR04836]