Sleep disturbances and behavior problems in children with and without arthritis

J Pediatr Nurs. 2014 Jul-Aug;29(4):321-8. doi: 10.1016/j.pedn.2014.03.022. Epub 2014 Mar 15.

Abstract

The study compared sleep disturbances and behavior problems in school-age children with and without juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Children 6-to-11 years of age, with (n=70) and without (n=46) JIA, and their parent participated. Parents completed questionnaires on sleep habits and behavior problems. Compared to control children, JIA children had significantly higher total sleep disturbances and higher scores on six of eight subscales. Sleep disturbances predicted externalizing behavior problems, controlling for age, medications, study group, and pain. Sleep disturbances such as, sleep disordered breathing are often overlooked or unrecognized in JIA and may contribute to behavioral problems.

Keywords: Externalizing behavioral problems; Internalizing behavior problems; Juvenile idiopathic arthritis; Sleep disturbances.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age Distribution
  • Arthritis, Juvenile / diagnosis*
  • Arthritis, Juvenile / epidemiology*
  • Arthritis, Juvenile / therapy
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Child
  • Child Behavior Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Child Behavior Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Child Behavior Disorders / therapy
  • Child, Preschool
  • Comorbidity
  • Confidence Intervals
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Prognosis
  • Reference Values
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Assessment
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Sex Distribution
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / therapy
  • Washington