Subjective and objective measures of sleep in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Behavioral sleep problems and internalizing and externalizing comorbidities in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Behavioral sleep problems are common in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as are internalizing and externalizing comorbidities. The prevalence of these difficulties and the extent to which they co-exist in children with ADHD could inform clinical practice, but remains unclear. Therefore, we examined the association between sleep problems and internalizing and externalizing comorbidities in children with ADHD. Children aged 5-13 years were recruited from 21 pediatric practices across Victoria, Australia (N = 392). Internalizing and externalizing comorbidities (none, internalizing, externalizing, co-occurring) were assessed by the telephone-administered Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule for Children IV/Parent version. Sleep problem severity was assessed by primary caregiver report (no, mild, moderate or severe problem). Moderate/severe sleep problems were confirmed using International Classification of Sleep Disorders. Seven specific sleep problem domains (bedtime resistance, sleep anxiety, sleep onset delay, sleep duration, night waking, parasomnias and daytime sleepiness) were assessed using the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using adjusted logistic and linear regression models. Compared to children without comorbidities, children with co-occurring internalizing and externalizing comorbidities were more likely to have moderate/severe sleep problems (adjusted OR 2.4, 95 % CI 1.2; 4.5, p = 0.009) and problematic sleep across six of seven sleep domains. Children with either comorbidity alone were not at risk of moderate/severe sleep problems, but at the sleep domain level, children with internalizing alone had more sleep anxiety, and those with externalizing alone had less night waking. In conclusion, children with ADHD experiencing co-occurring internalizing and externalizing comorbidities are at an increased risk of sleep problems.

The relationships between sensory modulation and sleep among adolescents with ADHD

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of sensory modulation and sleeping among 30 adolescents diagnosed with ADHD, compared with 28 adolescents without ADHD.

METHOD

Two questionnaires were completed by parents to assess the participants' level of ADHD symptoms. Two other questionnaires were completed by the participants assessing difficulties in sensory modulation and sleep.

RESULTS

The ADHD group had more sensory difficulties in Activity Level, Hearing, and Low Registration, and more difficulties in the Sleep Behavior variables. Higher correlations between the sensory variables and the sleep measures were found in the ADHD group as compared with the non-ADHD group. Significant differences between correlations were found between three sleep measures and four sensory variables.

CONCLUSION

The discussion is devoted to an assessment of the relationships between the measures, with the conclusion that among adolescents with ADHD, it is important to assess and treat possible sensory and sleep difficulties.

Eszopiclone for insomnia associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate efficacy and safety of eszopiclone compared with placebo in children and adolescents with insomnia associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

METHODS

A 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated efficacy and safety of high- or low-dose eszopiclone (1 or 2 mg in children aged 6-11 years, 2 or 3 mg in children ages 12-17 years), given every evening, in 486 patients with ADHD-related insomnia. The primary efficacy variable was change in latency to persistent sleep from baseline to week 12, based on polysomnography. Key secondary measures were polysomnography-measured wake time after sleep onset, Clinical Global Impression Parent/Caregiver and Child scales, and the Conners' ADHD rating scales. The safety of eszopiclone was further studied over 1 year of open-label treatment in 55 patients who completed the double-blind study, and 249 patients with no previous eszopiclone exposure.

RESULTS

Neither low-dose nor high-dose eszopiclone significantly reduced latency to persistent sleep compared with placebo after 12 weeks of treatment. Secondary outcomes were considered nonsignificant based on the hierarchical statistical analysis plan. The most frequent treatment-emergent adverse events over 12 weeks with eszopiclone were headache, dysgeusia, and dizziness. The study results demonstrated that eszopiclone was well tolerated over 1 year of treatment, with 11.2% of patients discontinuing open-label treatment because of an adverse event.

CONCLUSIONS

Eszopiclone (up to 3 mg) failed to reduce latency to persistent sleep on polysomnography after 12 weeks in children aged 6 to 17 years with ADHD-related insomnia. Eszopiclone was well tolerated in the 1-year study.

Effect of extended-release dexmethylphenidate and mixed amphetamine salts on sleep: a double-blind, randomized, crossover study in youth with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

OBJECTIVE

We sought to determine the dose-response effects of extended-release (ER) dexmethylphenidate (d-MPH) and ER mixed amphetamine salts (MAS) on objective measures of sleep.

METHODS

This was an 8-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, two period, crossover study of youth with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as confirmed by the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders for School-Age Children-Present and Lifetime version (K-SADS-PL). Children aged 10-17 years were recruited from clinical practice, colleague referrals, and flyers. Participants were randomized to initially receive either d-MPH or MAS. During each 4-week drug period, children received three dose levels (10, 20, and 25/30 mg) in ascending order, with placebo substituted for active medication in a randomized fashion during 1 week of the study. After 4 weeks, participants were switched to the alternative medication for another 4 weeks of treatment. The main outcome measure was sleep duration as measured by actigraphy. Children, parents, and researchers were blinded to drug, dose, and placebo status.

RESULTS

Sixty-five participants met the inclusion criteria and were enrolled in the study. Of these, 37 participants with sufficient sleep data for analysis were included. Sleep schedule measures showed a significant effect for dose on sleep start time (F(1,36) = 6.284; p < 0.05), with a significantly later sleep start time when children were receiving 20- or 30-mg doses, compared with placebo (p < 0.05). A significant dose effect was found on actual sleep duration (F(1,36) = 8.112; p < 0.05), with significantly shorter actual sleep duration for subjects receiving 30 mg compared with those receiving placebo (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences on sleep duration or sleep schedule between the two stimulant medications. The trial is complete and closed to follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher stimulant doses were associated with reduced sleep duration and later sleep start times, regardless of medication class.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00393042.

Associations of sleep disturbance with ADHD: implications for treatment

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is commonly associated with disordered or disturbed sleep. The relationships of ADHD with sleep problems, psychiatric comorbidities and medications are complex and multidirectional. Evidence from published studies comparing sleep in individuals with ADHD with typically developing controls is most concordant for associations of ADHD with: hypopnea/apnea and peripheral limb movements in sleep or nocturnal motricity in polysomnographic studies; increased sleep onset latency and shorter sleep time in actigraphic studies; and bedtime resistance, difficulty with morning awakenings, sleep onset difficulties, sleep-disordered breathing, night awakenings and daytime sleepiness in subjective studies. ADHD is also frequently coincident with sleep disorders (obstructive sleep apnea, peripheral limb movement disorder, restless legs syndrome and circadian-rhythm sleep disorders). Psychostimulant medications are associated with disrupted or disturbed sleep, but also ‘paradoxically’ calm some patients with ADHD for sleep by alleviating their symptoms. Long-acting formulations may have insufficient duration of action, leading to symptom rebound at bedtime. Current guidelines recommend assessment of sleep disturbance during evaluation of ADHD, and before initiation of pharmacotherapy, with healthy sleep practices the first-line option for addressing sleep problems. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the relationships between ADHD and sleep, and presents a conceptual model of the modes of interaction: ADHD may cause sleep problems as an intrinsic feature of the disorder; sleep problems may cause or mimic ADHD; ADHD and sleep problems may interact, with reciprocal causation and possible involvement of comorbidity; and ADHD and sleep problems may share a common underlying neurological etiology.

Sleep of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: actigraphic and parental reports

The objectives of this study were to characterize the sleep of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), using actigraphy and parental questionnaires, and examine the potentially moderating role of psychostimulant medication and psychiatric comorbidity. Children with ADHD significantly differed from controls on parental and actigraphic measures of sleep, with parental reports indicating more severe sleep disturbances, and actigraphic recordings of longer sleep onset latency, lower sleep efficiency, and lower total sleep time. Both medicated and unmedicated ADHD subgroups differed from the control group on sleep measures, but did not differ from each other. Only the subgroup with comorbid psychiatric symptoms differed from the control group on actigraphic measures. The presence of psychiatric comorbidity, but not psychostimulant medication use, was associated with more severe sleep disturbances. The main implication of these findings is that clinicians should systematically attend to sleep disturbances in children with ADHD, particularly when other psychiatric symptoms are also present.

Behavioural sleep problems in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): protocol for a prospective cohort study

INTRODUCTION

Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) commonly experience behavioural sleep problems, yet these difficulties are not routinely assessed and managed in this group. Presenting with similar symptoms to ADHD itself, sleep problems are complex in children with ADHD and their aetiology is likely to be multifactorial. Common internalising and externalising comorbidities have been associated with sleep problems in children with ADHD; however, this relationship is yet to be fully elucidated. Furthermore, limited longitudinal data exist on sleep problems in children with ADHD, thus their persistence and impact remain unknown. In a diverse sample of children with ADHD, this study aims to: (1) quantify the relationship between sleep problems and internalising and externalising comorbidities; (2) examine sleep problem trajectories and risk factors; and (3) examine the longitudinal associations between sleep problems and child and family functioning over a 12-month period.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

A prospective cohort study of 400 children with ADHD (150 with no/mild sleep problems, 250 with moderate/severe sleep problems) recruited from paediatric practices across Victoria, Australia. The children's parents and teacher provide data at baseline and 6-month and 12-month post enrolment.

KEY MEASURES

Parent report of child's sleep problem severity (no, mild, moderate, severe); specific sleep domain scores assessed using the Child Sleep Habits Questionnaire; internalising and externalising comorbidities assessed by the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule for Children IV/Parent version.

ANALYSES

Multiple variable logistic and linear regression models examining the associations between key measures, adjusted for confounders identified a priori.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethics approval has been granted. Findings will contribute to our understanding of behavioural sleep problems in children with ADHD. Clinically, they could improve the assessment and management of sleep problems in this group. We will seek to publish in leading paediatric journals, present at conferences and inform Australian paediatricians through the Australian Paediatric Research Network.

Sleep and cognitive problems in patients with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

OBJECTIVES

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by inattentive and impulsive behavior. Many ADHD patients reportedly have cognitive dysfunction and sleep problems, including longer sleep latency, lower sleep efficiency, and shorter total sleep time. The purpose of this study was to examine neurocognitive functions and nocturnal sleep parameters in patients with ADHD, using a cognitive function test and actigraphy.

METHODS

Subjects included 37 male patients with ADHD and 32 controls (7-12 years of age). For each participant, we determined intelligence quotient (IQ) and administered the Matching Familiar Figures Test (MFFT) and 72-hour actigraphy. The relationships between sleep parameters and cognitive functions were assessed.

RESULTS

ADHD patients significantly differed from controls in several cognitive functions and sleep variables. In the MFFT, response error rate (P<0.001) and error counts (P=0.003) were significantly increased in ADHD patients compared with control children. MFFT response latency was significantly shorter in ADHD patients than in controls (P<0.001). In addition, sleep latency (P=0.01), wake after sleep onset (WASO) (P<0.001), and fragmentation index (P<0.001) were evaluated by actigraphy and found to be significantly increased in patients with ADHD compared with controls. However, no significant differences in total sleep time or sleep efficiency were observed. WASO and response error rates were positively correlated in patients with ADHD (rho =0.52, P=0.012). Furthermore, fragmentation index sleep variables were significantly positively correlated with response error (rho =0.44, P=0.008) and response latency rates (rho =0.4, P=0.018) in the MFFT. Reaction error rate was significantly associated with the fragmentation index (beta =0.94, P=0.024).

CONCLUSION

Patients with ADHD had more sleep problems, including significantly increased sleep latency, WASO, and fragmentation index, and poorer cognitive function, compared with controls. Some of these sleep problems, including WASO and the fragmentation index, were positively correlated with impulsivity, illustrated by the cognitive function tests in patients with ADHD. However, further studies with large sample sizes and the addition of polysomnography and determination of ADHD subtypes should be performed to confirm our results regarding sleep and cognitive problems in patients with ADHD.

Parent-reported sleep problems, symptom ratings, and serum ferritin levels in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a case control study

Background

Sleep problems are common among children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Serum ferritin levels have been associated with the severity of symptoms and sleep disturbances among children with ADHD. This study was conducted to investigate parent-reported sleep problems in a sample of Egyptian children with ADHD and to examine the relationship between their sleep, symptom-ratings, and low serum ferritin levels.

Methods

Parents of 41 ADHD children, aged 6 to 12 years, filled out the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) and Conners’ Parent Rating Scale-Revised: Long Version (CPRS-R:L) in Arabic. Serum ferritin levels were determined with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The parents of the 62 controls filled out the CSHQ.

Results

The ADHD group showed significantly higher scores in CSHQ subscales and total score. Children with serum ferritin levels <30 ng/mL had more disturbed sleep. There were significant negative correlations between sleep duration subscale, total score of CSHQ, and serum ferritin levels. There were no significant differences in hyperactivity, cognitive problems/inattention, oppositional, or ADHD index subscale scores between children with serum ferritin levels <30 ng/mL and those with serum ferritin levels ≥30 ng/mL.

Conclusions

Sleep problems are common, and this study suggests an association between low serum ferritin levels and sleep disturbances.

Future research directions in sleep and ADHD: report of a consensus working group

OBJECTIVE

To explore relationships between basic and translational science research regarding sleep and ADHD in children.

METHOD

A multidisciplinary group of experts in pediatric sleep medicine and ADHD convened in November 2010 to summarize the current literature, delineate knowledge gaps, and formulate recommendations regarding future research directions and priorities.

RESULTS

Six major research areas of interest were identified: (a) brain centers regulating sleep, arousal, and attention; (b) neurotransmitter systems involved in both sleep and attention regulation; (c) alterations of neural systems regulating sleep in ADHD; (d) phenotypic similarities between behavioral, mood, and cognitive manifestations of insufficient/disrupted sleep and ADHD; (e) hypoarousal and sleepiness in ADHD; and (f) external sleep-wake signals that affect sleep regulation in ADHD.

CONCLUSION

An enhanced understanding of the complex mechanisms regulating sleep promotion, wakefulness, and attention may contribute to new insights regarding the core impairments in ADHD and lead to the development of new therapies.

Methylphenidate modifies the motion of the circadian clock

People with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often experience sleep problems, and these are frequently exacerbated by the methylphenidate they take to manage their ADHD symptoms. Many of the changes to sleep are consistent with a change in the underlying circadian clock. The present study was designed to determine if methylphenidate alone could alter properties of the circadian clock. Young male mice were examined in light-dark cycles and in constant darkness and recordings were performed on behavioral activity, sleep, and electrical activity in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of freely moving mice. Methylphenidate in the drinking water (0.08%) significantly increased activity in the mid-to-late night, and led to a delay in the onset of activity and sleep relative to the light-dark cycle. While locomotor levels returned to baseline after treatment ended, the phase angle of entrainment required at least a week to return to baseline levels. In constant darkness, the free-running period of both wheel-running and general locomotor rhythms was lengthened by methylphenidate. When the treatment ended, the free-running period either remained stable or only partially reverted to baseline levels. Methylphenidate also altered the electrical firing rate rhythms in the SCN. It induced a delay in the trough of the rhythm, an increment in rhythm amplitude, and a reduction in rhythm variability. These observations suggest that methylphenidate alters the underlying circadian clock. The observed changes are consistent with clock alterations that would promote sleep-onset insomnia.

Use of actigraphy for assessment in pediatric sleep research

The use of actigraphs, or ambulatory devices that estimate sleep-wake patterns from activity levels, has become common in pediatric research. Actigraphy provides a more objective measure than parent-report, and has gained popularity due to its ability to measure sleep-wake patterns for extended periods of time in the child's natural environment. The purpose of this review is: 1) to provide comprehensive information on the historic and current uses of actigraphy in pediatric sleep research; 2) to review how actigraphy has been validated among pediatric populations; and 3) offer recommendations for methodological areas that should be included in all studies that utilize actigraphy, including the definition and scoring of variables commonly reported. The poor specificity to detect wake after sleep onset was consistently noted across devices and age groups, thus raising concerns about what is an "acceptable" level of specificity for actigraphy. Other notable findings from this review include the lack of standard scoring rules or variable definitions. Suggestions for the use and reporting of actigraphy in pediatric research are provided.

Psychosocial determinants of headache, abdominal pain, and sleep problems in a community sample of Finnish adolescents

The aims of this study were to examine the prevalence, co-occurrence, and psychosocial determinants of self-perceived headache, abdominal pain, and sleep problems among adolescents. The adolescents from two cities in Finland (n = 2,215, 90.9% of the target population) attending 7th and 9th grade (age range 13-18 years) participated in the cross-sectional survey inquiring about frequency of headache, abdominal pain, sleep problems, and psychosocial difficulties. The 6-month prevalence of weekly headache was 13%, abdominal pain 6%, and sleep problems 27%. All three symptoms were strongly associated with each other. Of the adolescents suffering from one symptom, 32% reported one co-occurring symptom and 17% two co-occurring symptoms. In the multivariate analysis, female gender, experience of psychological difficulties, emotional symptoms, smoking, victimization, and feeling not cared about by teachers were independently associated with all the individual symptoms, as well as an increasing number of symptoms. Sleep problems were associated with older age and peer and alcohol problems. Abdominal pain was associated with conduct problems, and both headache and abdominal pain were linked with immigration background. An increasing number of symptoms was associated with older age, having a chronic illness, and conduct and alcohol problems. Adolescents' headache, abdominal pain and sleep problems were common and often co-occurred. An increasing frequency of each symptom and number of symptoms were associated with psychosocial factors in a similar way. Screening for psychiatric symptoms, substance use, victimization and difficulties with teachers should be included in the assessment of adolescents who suffer from recurrent headache, abdominal pain or sleep problems.

Variable sleep schedules and outcomes in children with psychopathological problems: preliminary observations

BACKGROUND

Night-to-night variability in sleep of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be a mediator of behavioral phenotype. We examined the potential association between alertness, sleep, and eating behaviors in children with ADHD and comorbid problems.

METHODS

Sleep was monitored by actigraphy for 7 days. Questionnaires were used to assess sleep complaints, habits and food patterns by parental report, and sleep complaints and sleepiness by child report.

RESULTS

The group comprised 18 children, including 15 boys, aged 9.4 ± 1.7 years, 88.9% Caucasian, who took one or multiple medications. Children slept on average for 6 hours and 58 minutes with a variability of 1 hour 3 minutes relative to the mean, and their sleepiness scores were highly variable from day to day. Most children had a normal body mass index (BMI). Sleepiness and BMI were associated with sleep schedules and food patterns, such that they accounted for 76% of variance, predominantly by the association of BMI with mean wake after sleep onset and by bedtime sleepiness, with wake after sleep onset variability. Similarly, 97% of variance was shared with eating behaviors, such as desserts and snacks, and fast food meals were associated with morning sleepiness.

CONCLUSION

Disrupted sleep and sleepiness appears to favor unhealthy food patterns and may place children with ADHD at increased risk for obesity.

Sleep patterns and the risk for ADHD: a review

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is often associated with comorbid sleep disturbances. Sleep disturbances may be a risk factor for development of the disorder, a symptom of the disorder, or a comorbid condition affected by a similar psychopathology. Various studies have examined the impact of sleep deprivation on the presence/exacerbation of ADHD symptomology, as well as longitudinal and concurrent associations between different sleep disturbances and ADHD, yet the notion of sleep disturbances as a predecessor to ADHD remains unclear. As such, this review examines the evidence for sleep disturbances as a risk factor for the development of ADHD, as well as the mechanisms underlying the association between sleep patterns and ADHD. Additionally, clinical implications regarding the comorbid nature of sleep disturbances and ADHD will be considered.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and sleep disturbances: consideration of parental influence

Parent report of sleep-related problems among children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is common and may stem from several different factors. This study examined the extent to which parental influence predicted sleep problems among 67 children, ages 5 to 12, meeting a research diagnosis of ADHD. The majority of parents/caregivers (73%) reported significant child sleep difficulties. Parental implementation of daily routines added to the explained variance in bedtime resistance after considering child and family characteristics (e.g., age, medication, and family income) but was not a significant predictor of sleep problems overall. Parenting stress was not a significant predictor of child sleep problems. Results suggest that implementation of consistent routines, especially those related to bedtime, may be a key factor in facilitating improved sleep among children who display behaviors consistent with ADHD.

Good and Bad Sleep in Childhood: A Questionnaire Survey amongst School Children in Southern Italy

Despite its clinical importance, the issue of subjective sleep quality in children remains unexplored. Here we investigate, in school-aged children, the prevalence of bad sleep perception and its relationships with sleep habits and daytime functioning, to provide hints on its possible determinants. Subjective sleep perception, sleep habits, and daytime functioning were studied through a questionnaire survey in a sample of 482 children (6–12 yrs.). Being “bad sleeper” was reported by 6.9% of the sample. Compared to the “good sleepers”, these subjects displayed shorter sleep duration on schooldays, longer sleep latencies, and a more pronounced evening preference, beyond more frequent insufficient sleep. Though no differences emerged in sleepiness, bad sleepers showed higher impairments in daytime functioning, indicated by more frequent depressed mood and impulsivity. These distinctive features might be very important to precociously detect those children who are possibly more vulnerable to sleep disturbances and whose sleep-wake rhythms evolution should be paid particular attention thereafter.

“The good people sleep much better at night than the bad people.

Of course, the bad people enjoy the waking hours much more”

Woody Allen

Sleep disturbances in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

In this article, we advocate the need for better understanding and treatment of children exhibiting inattentive, hyperactive, impulsive behaviors, by in-depth questioning on sleepiness, sleep-disordered breathing or problematic behaviors at bedtime, during the night and upon awakening, as well as night-to-night sleep duration variability. The relationships between sleep and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are complex and are routinely overlooked by practitioners. Motricity and somnolence, the most consistent complaints and objectively measured sleep problems in children with ADHD, may develop as a consequence of multidirectional and multifactorial pathways. Therefore, subjectively perceived or reported restless sleep should be evaluated with specific attention to restless legs syndrome or periodic limb movement disorder, and awakenings should be queried with regard to parasomnias, dyssomnias and sleep-disordered breathing. Sleep hygiene logs detailing sleep onset and offset quantitatively, as well as qualitatively, are required. More studies in children with ADHD are needed to reveal the 24-h phenotype, or its sleep comorbidities.

Sleep in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adults: past, present, and future

The understanding that sleep can give rise to, or exacerbate symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and that good sleep hygiene improves attention and concentration tasks has sparked interest in the investigation of possible etiological relationships between sleep disorders and ADHD. Studies indicate that 30% of children and 60-80% of adults with ADHD have symptoms of sleep disorders such as daytime sleepiness, insomnia, delayed sleep phase syndrome, fractured sleep, restless legs syndrome, and sleep disordered breathing. The range and diversity of findings by different researchers have posed challenges in establishing whether sleep disturbances are intrinsic to ADHD or whether disturbances occur due to co-morbid sleep disorders. As a result, understanding of the nature of the relationship between sleep disturbances/disorders and ADHD remains unclear. In this review, we present a comprehensive and critical account of the research that has been carried out to investigate the association between sleep and ADHD, as well as discuss mechanisms that have been proposed to account for the elusive relationship between sleep disturbances, sleep disorders, and ADHD.

Sleep in children with Williams Syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To analyze sleep in children with Williams Syndrome (WS) compared to normal healthy controls in order to determine whether particular sleep features are characteristic of WS, and to explore associations between disturbed sleep and behavior.

METHODS

Thirty-five children with genetically-confirmed WS and 35 matched controls underwent overnight polysomnography and performance testing in the Sleep Center at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Parents completed questionnaires regarding the subjects' sleep and behavior.

RESULTS

WS subjects had significantly different sleep than controls, with decreased sleep efficiency, increased respiratory-related arousals and increased slow wave sleep on overnight polysomnography. WS subjects were also noted to have more difficulty falling asleep, with greater restlessness and more arousals from sleep than controls. Fifty-two percent of WS subjects had features of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder.

CONCLUSION

Children with WS had significantly different sleep than controls in our sample. These differences demonstrated in our study may reflect genetic influences on sleep.

Comorbidity and confounding factors in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and sleep disorders in children

Sleep problems are commonly reported in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms. Research data regarding the complex and reciprocal relationship between ADHD and sleep disturbances has now accumulated. This paper is focused on the types of sleep problems that are associated with ADHD symptomatology, and attempts to untangle confounding factors and overlapping symptoms. The goal is also to present an updated overview of the pathophysiology of and treatment strategies for sleep problems in children with ADHD. The review also points out that future research will be needed to clarify further the other psychiatric comorbidities and side effects of medication in order to improve treatment outcomes and prevent misdiagnosis in clinical practice.

Ciclo vigília/sono e o transtorno de déficit de atenção/hiperatividade

OBJETIVO: Analisar as relações entre ciclo vigília/sono e transtorno de déficit de atenção/hiperatividade. FONTES DE DADOS: Os artigos foram selecionados nas bases de dados SciELO e PubMed, utilizando-se "sono", "transtorno de déficit de atenção/hiperatividade", "atividade motora" e "crianças" como palavras-chave para a busca. SÍNTESE DOS DADOS: Embora os resultados de diferentes estudos sejam inconclusivos e, por vezes, contraditórios, não sendo possível estabelecer relações claras entre sono e transtorno do déficit de atenção/hiperatividade, observa-se que o sono das crianças diagnosticadas difere do sono de crianças que não possuem o transtorno, sugerindo que alterações de sono possam se relacionar ao transtorno do déficit de atenção/hiperatividade. CONCLUSÕES: A falta de marcadores biológicos e de conhecimento a respeito da sua etiologia gera dificuldades na determinação da real prevalência do transtorno do déficit de atenção/hiperatividade, além de limitar sua compreensão e a busca por novas formas de tratamento e prevenção. Embora dificuldades de sono sejam frequentemente relatadas na prática clínica e já tenham sido utilizadas como um dos critérios diagnósticos para o transtorno, pouco se sabe sobre a possível participação da privação de sono na etiologia do transtorno do déficit de atenção/hiperatividade.

Diurnal variations in arousal: a naturalistic heart rate study in children with ADHD

Previous studies suggest an altered circadian regulation of arousal in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as measured by activity, circadian preference, and sleep-wake patterns. Although heart rate is an important measure to evaluate arousal profiles, to date it is unknown whether 24-h heart rate patterns differentiate between children with and without ADHD. In this study, 24-h heart rate data were collected in 30 non-medicated children with ADHD (aged 6-11) and 30 sex-, class-, and age-matched normal controls in their naturalistic home and school setting, during 5 days. Simultaneously, 24-h activity patterns were registered. Confounding effects of demographic variables (e.g., age, sex, BMI, pubertal stage) and comorbid internalizing and externalizing problems on heart rate levels were additionally assessed. Longitudinal analysis showed that heart rate levels were overall higher in the ADHD group (p < 0.01)--with the largest effects during afternoon and night--in a model controlling for age. Other factors did not significantly contribute to variations in heart rate levels. Compared to controls, children with ADHD showed higher activity levels during daytime (especially early afternoon), but not during nighttime (p < 0.05). Post hoc analyses showed that environmental effects might influence daytime variations. Findings suggest an autonomic imbalance in children with ADHD as compared to controls, with higher heart rate levels in the ADHD group. Nighttime tachycardia in this group could not be explained by nighttime activity levels or comorbid externalizing/internalizing problems. Further research on autonomic functioning in ADHD is recommended because of the major impact of higher resting heart rate on health outcomes.

Media use and child sleep: the impact of content, timing, and environment

BACKGROUND

Media use has been shown to negatively affect a child's sleep, especially in the context of evening use or with a television in the child's bedroom. However, little is known about how content choices and adult co-use affect this relationship.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the impact of media content, timing, and use behaviors on child sleep.

METHODS

These data were collected in the baseline survey and media diary of a randomized controlled trial on media use in children aged 3 to 5 years. Sleep measures were derived from the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire. Media diaries captured time, content title, and co-use of television, video-game, and computer usage; titles were coded for ratings, violence, scariness, and pacing. Nested linear regression models were built to examine the impact of timing, content, and co-use on the sleep problem score.

RESULTS

On average, children consumed 72.9 minutes of media screen time daily, with 14.1 minutes occurring after 7:00 pm. Eighteen percent of parents reported at least 1 sleep problem; children with a bedroom television consumed more media and were more likely to have a sleep problem. In regression models, each additional hour of evening media use was associated with a significant increase in the sleep problem score (0.743 [95% confidence interval: 0.373-1.114]), as was daytime use with violent content (0.398 [95% confidence interval: 0.121-0.676]). There was a trend toward greater impact of daytime violent use in the context of a bedroom television (P=.098) and in low-income children (P=.07).

CONCLUSIONS

Violent content and evening media use were associated with increased sleep problems. However, no such effects were observed with nonviolent daytime media use.

Sleep, emotional and behavioral difficulties in children and adolescents

Links between sleep and psychopathology are complex and likely bidirectional. Sleep problems and alteration of normal sleep patterns have been identified in major forms of child psychopathology including anxiety, depression and attention disorders as well as symptoms of difficulties in the full range. This review summarizes some key findings with regard to the links between sleep and associated difficulties in childhood and adolescence. It then proposes a selection of possible mechanisms underlying some of these associations. Suggestions for future research include the need to 1) use multi-methods to assess sleep; 2) measure sleep in large-scale studies; 3) conduct controlled experiments to further establish the effects of sleep variations on emotional and behavioral difficulties; 4) take an interdisciplinary approach to further understand the links between sleep and associated difficulties.

Comparison of sleep problems in children with anxiety and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorders

This cross-sectional case-control study compared sleep problems in consecutively referred children aged 7-13 years meeting DSM-IV criteria for anxiety disorder, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), comorbid anxiety disorder and ADHD, and a group of control children of similar age and gender. Diagnoses were assessed with the Kiddie-SADS PL interview, parent form, and the sleep problems with a standardized sleep questionnaire, the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), as reported by the mother. A total of 141 children were included (anxiety disorder (n = 41), ADHD (n = 39), comorbid condition (n = 25), controls (n = 36)). Children in the clinical groups had more sleep problems than controls. Children with anxiety disorders and children with comorbid condition were reported to have more sleep problems than children with ADHD alone. Night waking was associated with comorbid anxiety disorder and ADHD. Bedtime resistance was associated with anxiety disorder, while daytime sleepiness affected all clinical groups. Clinical management of children with ADHD and anxiety disorders needs to include assessment of sleep problems.

Polysomnography and actigraphy concordance in juvenile idiopathic arthritis, asthma and healthy children

The aims of this study were to evaluate sensitivity, specificity and accuracy with an epoch-by-epoch comparison of polysomnography (PSG) and actigraphy with activity counts scored at low, medium and high thresholds, and to compare PSG-derived total sleep time (TST), sleep efficiency (SE) and wake after sleep onset (WASO) to the same variables derived from actigraphy at low, medium and high thresholds in 9- to 11-year-old children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), asthma and healthy control children. One night of PSG and actigraphy were recorded. Pairwise group comparisons for sensitivity showed significant differences at the low [Tukey's honest significant difference (HSD) P < 0.002], medium (P < 0.001) and high thresholds (P < 0.001) between JIA and asthma groups, and at the high threshold between JIA and controls (P < 0.009). Significant differences were found for specificity at the low (P < 0.001), medium (P < 0.001) and high thresholds (P < 0.001) between JIA and asthma groups, and between JIA and controls (low, P < 0.002: medium, P < 0.002: high, P < 0.008 threshold). PSG TST, WASO and SE were not significantly different among the groups, but significant group differences were found for actigraphy TST, WASO and SE at all three thresholds. Actigraphy showed the least overestimation or underestimation of sleep or wakefulness at the medium threshold for TST and WASO for all three groups. Compared to PSG, actigraphy was most accurate in the identification of sleep from wakefulness in 9- to 11-year-old healthy children, and less accurate in children with JIA and asthma.

Sleep assessments in healthy school-aged children using actigraphy: concordance with polysomnography

Actigraphic (ACT) recordings are used widely in schoolchildren as a less intrusive and more extended approach to evaluation of sleep problems. However, critical assessment of the validity and reliability of ACT against overnight polysomnography (NPSG) are unavailable. Thus, we explored the degree of concordance between NPSG and ACT in school-aged children to delineate potential ACT boundaries when interpreting pediatric sleep. Non-dominant wrist ACT was recorded simultaneously with NPSG in 149 healthy school-aged children (aged 4.1-8.8 years, 41.7% boys, 80.4% Caucasian) recruited from the community. Analyses were limited to the Actiware (MiniMitter-64) calculated parameters originating from 1-min epoch sampling and medium sensitivity threshold value of 40; i.e. sleep period time (SPT), total sleep time (TST) and wake after sleep onset (WASO). SPT was not significantly different between ACT and NPSG. However, ACT underestimated TST significantly by 32.2±33.4 min and overestimated WASO by 26.3±34.4 min. The decreased precision of ACT was also evident from moderate to small concordance correlation coefficients (0.47 for TST and 0.09 for WASO). ACT in school-aged children provides reliable assessment of sleep quantity, but is relatively inaccurate during determination of sleep quality. Thus, caution is advocated in drawing definitive conclusions from ACT during evaluation of the sleep-disturbed child.

Impact of sleep restriction on neurobehavioral functioning of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

STUDY OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to assess the cumulative impact of 1 hour of nightly sleep restriction over the course of 6 nights on the neurobehavioral functioning (NBF) of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and healthy controls.

DESIGN

Following 6 nights of actigraphic monitoring of sleep to determine baseline sleep duration, children were asked to restrict sleep duration by 1 hour for 6 consecutive nights. NBF was assessed at baseline (Day 6) and following sleep manipulation (Day 12).

SETTING

A quiet location within their home environments.

PARTICIPANTS

Forty-three children (11 ADHD, 32 Controls, mean age = 8.7 years, SD = 1.3) between the ages of 7 and 11 years.

INTERVENTIONS

NA.

MEASUREMENTS

Sleep was monitored using actigraphy. In addition, parents were asked to complete nightly sleep logs. Sleepiness was evaluated using a questionnaire. The Conners' Continuous Performance Test (CPT) was used to assess NBF.

RESULTS

Restricted sleep led to poorer CPT scores on two-thirds of CPT outcome measures in both healthy controls and children with ADHD. The performance of children with ADHD following sleep restriction deteriorated from subclinical levels to the clinical range of inattention on two-thirds of CPT outcome measures.

CONCLUSIONS

Moderate sleep restriction leads to a detectable negative impact on the NBF of children with ADHD and healthy controls, leading to a clinical level of impairment in children with ADHD.

Study protocol: the sleeping sound with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder project

BACKGROUND

Up to 70% of children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) experience sleep problems including difficulties initiating and maintaining sleep. Sleep problems in children with ADHD can result in poorer child functioning, impacting on school attendance, daily functioning and behaviour, as well as parental mental health and work attendance. The Sleeping Sound with ADHD trial aims to investigate the efficacy of a behavioural sleep program in treating sleep problems experienced by children with ADHD. We have demonstrated the feasibility and the acceptability of this treatment program in a pilot study.

METHODS/DESIGN

This randomised controlled trial (RCT) is being conducted with 198 children (aged between 5 to 12 years) with ADHD and moderate to severe sleep problems. Children are recruited from public and private paediatric practices across the state of Victoria, Australia. Upon receiving informed written consent, families are randomised to receive either the behavioural sleep intervention or usual care. The intervention consists of two individual, face-to-face consultations and a follow-up phone call with a trained clinician (trainee consultant paediatrician or psychologist), focusing on the assessment and management of child sleep problems. The primary outcome is parent- and teacher-reported ADHD symptoms (ADHD Rating Scale IV). Secondary outcomes are child sleep (actigraphy and parent report), behaviour, daily functioning, school attendance and working memory, as well as parent mental health and work attendance. We are also assessing the impact of children's psychiatric comorbidity (measured using a structured diagnostic interview) on treatment outcome.

DISCUSSION

To our knowledge, this is the first RCT of a behavioural intervention aiming to treat sleep problems in children with ADHD. If effective, this program will provide a feasible non-pharmacological and acceptable intervention improving child sleep and ADHD symptoms in this patient group.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN68819261. ISRCTN: ISRCTN68819261.

Sleep problems in the child with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: defining aetiology and appropriate treatments

An estimated 25-50% of children and adolescents with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) experience problems with sleep. The most common sleep problems reported in children with ADHD include delayed sleep onset, sleep or bedtime resistance, prolonged tiredness upon waking and daytime sleepiness. Higher incidences of sleep disorders such as restless legs syndrome, periodic limb movement disorder and sleep-disordered breathing have been reported in paediatric ADHD populations compared with control populations. In some cases, medications for ADHD and/or co-morbid disorders may also contribute to sleep disturbances. Assessment tools, such as parent-child questionnaires and sleep diaries, can help clinicians evaluate sleep disturbances. Sleep problems may potentially exacerbate ADHD symptoms, and interventions targeted at ensuring adequate sleep (including behavioural, dietary, specific pharmacological agents for treatment-induced insomnia, and melatonin) could in turn potentially attenuate symptoms associated with ADHD, such as irritability. Whether metabolic or neurological pathways common to both sleep and ADHD may be disrupted, and whether targeting treatments to these pathways may simultaneously improve both ADHD and sleep symptoms, needs further elucidation.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and sleep disorders in children

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurocognitive and behavior abnormality commonly seen in childhood and adolescence. Symptoms and consequences of ADHD and sleep problems frequently overlap, and their relationship is complex and bidirectional. To avoid inappropriate diagnosis and inadequate management, mental health professionals should assess sleep problems and disorders in children, adolescents, and adults with ADHD-related symptoms and in those with a diagnosis of ADHD. Screening for other psychiatric comorbidities and the side effects of medications, such as psychostimulants, is necessary when considering sleep complaints, because both have adverse effects on sleep.

Risk factors and consequences of excessive autonomic activation during sleep in children

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to assess risk factors for excessive autonomic activation during sleep (EAAS) and its association with sleep problems, impaired behavior, and poor academic performance in primary school children.

METHODS

Data from a community-based study on 997 primary school children were used. Based on nocturnal home pulse oximetry, autonomic activation during sleep was defined as a pulse rate increase by more than 20%. Children with ≥35.9 autonomic activations per hour (i.e., ≥ the 95(th) centile) were classified as suffering from EAAS and compared with controls. Sleep problems, impaired behavior, and academic performance were assessed by parental questionnaires and analysis of school reports.

RESULTS

According to the above-mentioned definition, EAAS was diagnosed in 52 children (67% male). Risk factors for EAAS were male gender (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 2.06 [1.14-3.72]) and presence of symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing (3.48 [1.29-9.43]). Children with EAAS had a higher prevalence of hyperactive behavior (39.2% vs. 26.0%; p = 0.05) and enuresis (5.8% vs. 0.8%; p = 0.017) but not of poor academic performance. The association with hyperactive behavior was confirmed in a subsample (n = 119) using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Mean (SD) score of the hyperactive-inattentive scale was 4.5 (2.8) for EAAS and 3.4 (2.7) for non-EAAS (p = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

EAAS may be a marker of sleep disruption in children and may predict the occurrence of enuresis and hyperactive behavior.

Sleep characteristics of children and adolescents with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder

This article reviews sleep characteristics of children and adolescents who have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Research on sleep disturbances in individuals who have ADHD without comorbid conditions, measured both objectively and subjectively, is first presented. The impact of primary sleep disorders associated with ADHD is then discussed. The effects of psychiatric comorbidities on the sleep patterns of children and adolescents who have ADHD are then reviewed, and sleep alterations associated with medications used to treat ADHD and comorbid conditions are addressed.

Sleep in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: meta-analysis of subjective and objective studies

OBJECTIVE

To perform a meta-analysis of subjective (i.e., based on questionnaires) and objective (i.e., using polysomnography or actigraphy) studies comparing sleep in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) versus controls.

METHOD

We searched for subjective and objective sleep studies (1987-2008) in children with ADHD (diagnosed according to standardized criteria). Studies including subjects pharmacologically treated or with comorbid anxiety/depressive disorders were excluded.

RESULTS

Sixteen studies, providing 9 subjective and 15 objective parameters and including a total pooled sample of 722 children with ADHD versus 638 controls, were retained. With regard to subjective items, the meta-analysis indicated that children with ADHD had significantly higher bedtime resistance (z = 6.94, p <.001), more sleep onset difficulties (z = 9.38, p <.001), night awakenings (z = 2.15, p =.031), difficulties with morning awakenings (z = 5.19, p <.001), sleep disordered breathing (z = 2.05, p =.040), and daytime sleepiness (z = 1.96, p =.050) compared with the controls. As for objective parameters, sleep onset latency (on actigraphy), the number of stage shifts/hour sleep, and the apnea-hypopnea index were significantly higher in the children with ADHD compared with the controls (z = 3.44, p =.001; z = 2.43, p =.015; z = 3.47, p =.001, respectively). The children with ADHD also had significantly lower sleep efficiency on polysomnography (z = 2.26, p =.024), true sleep time on actigraphy (z = 2.85, p =.004), and average times to fall asleep for the Multiple Sleep Latency Test (z = 6.37, p <.001) than the controls.

CONCLUSIONS

The children with ADHD are significantly more impaired than the controls in most of the subjective and some of the objective sleep measures. These results lay the groundwork for future evidence-based guidelines on the management of sleep disturbances in children with ADHD.

Atomoxetine: a review of its use in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents

Atomoxetine (Strattera(R)) is a selective norepinephrine (noradrenaline) reuptake inhibitor that is not classified as a stimulant, and is indicated for use in patients with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Atomoxetine is effective and generally well tolerated. It is significantly more effective than placebo and standard current therapy and does not differ significantly from or is noninferior to immediate-release methylphenidate; however, it is significantly less effective than the extended-release methylphenidate formulation OROS(R) methylphenidate (hereafter referred to as osmotically released methylphenidate) and extended-release mixed amfetamine salts. Atomoxetine can be administered either as a single daily dose or split into two evenly divided doses, has a negligible risk of abuse or misuse, and is not a controlled substance in the US. Atomoxetine is particularly useful for patients at risk of substance abuse, as well as those who have co-morbid anxiety or tics, or who do not wish to take a controlled substance. Thus, atomoxetine is a useful option in the treatment of ADHD in children and adolescents. The mechanism of action of atomoxetine is unclear, but is thought to be related to its selective inhibition of presynaptic norepinephrine reuptake in the prefrontal cortex. Atomoxetine has a high affinity and selectivity for norepinephrine transporters, but little or no affinity for various neurotransmitter receptors. Atomoxetine has a demonstrated ability to selectively inhibit norepinephrine uptake in humans and animals, and studies have shown that it preferentially binds to areas of known high distribution of noradrenergic neurons, such as the fronto-cortical subsystem. Atomoxetine was generally associated with statistically, but not clinically, significant increases in both heart rate and blood pressure in pediatric patients with ADHD. While there was an initial loss in expected height and weight among atomoxetine recipients, this eventually returned to normal in the longer term. Data suggest that atomoxetine is unlikely to have any abuse potential. Atomoxetine appeared less likely than methylphenidate to exacerbate disordered sleep in pediatric patients with ADHD. Atomoxetine is rapidly absorbed, and demonstrates dose-proportional increases in plasma exposure. It undergoes extensive biotransformation, which is affected by poor metabolism by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6 in a small percentage of the population; these patients have greater exposure to and slower elimination of atomoxetine than extensive metabolizers. Patients with hepatic insufficiency show an increase in atomoxetine exposure. CYP2D6 inhibitors, such as paroxetine, are associated with changes in atomoxetine pharmacokinetics similar to those observed among poor CYP2D6 metabolizers. Once- or twice-daily atomoxetine was effective in the short-term treatment of ADHD in children and adolescents, as observed in several well designed placebo-controlled trials. Atomoxetine also demonstrated efficacy in the longer term treatment of these patients. A single morning dose was shown to be effective into the evening, and discontinuation of atomoxetine was not associated with symptom rebound. Atomoxetine efficacy did not appear to differ between children and adolescents. Stimulant-naive patients also responded well to atomoxetine treatment. Atomoxetine did not differ significantly from or was noninferior to immediate-release methylphenidate in children and adolescents with ADHD with regard to efficacy, and was significantly more effective than standard current therapy (any combination of medicines [excluding atomoxetine] and/or behavioral counseling, or no treatment). However, atomoxetine was significantly less effective than osmotically released methylphenidate and extended-release mixed amfetamine salts. The efficacy of atomoxetine did not appear to be affected by the presence of co-morbid disorders, and symptoms of the co-morbid disorders were not affected or were improved by atomoxetine administration. Health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) appeared to be positively affected by atomoxetine in both short- and long-term studies; atomoxetine also improved HR-QOL to a greater extent than standard current therapy. Atomoxetine was generally well tolerated in children and adolescents with ADHD. Common adverse events included headache, abdominal pain, decreased appetite, vomiting, somnolence, and nausea. The majority of adverse events were mild or moderate; there was a very low incidence of serious adverse events. Few patients discontinued atomoxetine treatment because of adverse events. Atomoxetine discontinuation appeared to be well tolerated, with a low incidence of discontinuation-emergent adverse events. Atomoxetine appeared better tolerated among extensive CYP2D6 metabolizers than among poor metabolizers. Slight differences were evident in the adverse event profiles of atomoxetine and stimulants, both immediate- and extended-release. Somnolence appeared more common among atomoxetine recipients and insomnia appeared more common among stimulant recipients. A black-box warning for suicidal ideation has been published in the US prescribing information, based on findings from a meta-analysis showing that atomoxetine is associated with a significantly higher incidence of suicidal ideation than placebo. Rarely, atomoxetine may also be associated with serious liver injury; postmarketing data show that three patients have had liver-related adverse events deemed probably related to atomoxetine treatment. Treatment algorithms involving the initial use of atomoxetine appear cost effective versus algorithms involving initial methylphenidate (immediate- or extended-release), dexamfetamine, tricyclic antidepressants, or no treatment in stimulant-naive, -failed, and -contraindicated children and adolescents with ADHD. The incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-year is below commonly accepted cost-effectiveness thresholds, as shown in several Markov model analyses conducted from the perspective of various European countries, with a time horizon of 1 year.

Sleep problems and disorders among adolescents with persistent and subthreshold attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To investigate the sleep schedules, problems, and disorders among adolescents with persistent attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and those with partially remitted ADHD symptoms.

DESIGN

A case-control study.

SETTING

National Taiwan University and schools in Taipei Patients or Participants: The sample included 281 adolescents (male, 85.4%; 145 with persistent ADHD, 136 with subthreshold ADHD), aged 11 to 17, who were diagnosed with ADHD, according to DSM-IV criteria, at the mean age of 6.7 years (SD = 3.0) and 185 unaffected control subjects.

INTERVENTIONS

N/A.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

We conducted psychiatric interviews of participants and their mothers using the Chinese Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-Epidemiology version for making the diagnoses of ADHD, other psychiatric disorders, and sleep problems or disorders. We also collected the medication treatment data and parent and teacher reports of ADHD-related symptoms. Our results showed that adolescents with a childhood diagnosis of ADHD according to DSM-IV criteria, regardless of persistent ADHD, were more likely to have current and lifetime sleep problems and sleep disorders according to DSM-IV (insomnia, sleep terrors, nightmares, bruxism, and snoring). The presence of at least 1 psychiatric comorbid condition increased the risks for insomnia and nightmares. The use of methylphenidate was not associated with further increased risk of sleep problems, except bruxism.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings support a relationship between ADHD and sleep problems, which can be partially explained by the psychiatric comorbidities, but did not support a disturbed sleep schedule. Our study suggests that mental health professionals should screen for sleep problems and psychiatric comorbidities among adolescents with a childhood diagnosis of ADHD regardless of the severity of current ADHD symptoms.