OBJECTIVES: There has been limited data on familial aggregation of insomnia. We aimed to explore the prevalence, risk factors and familial aggregation of childhood insomnia with a large community-based sample. METHODS: A community-based epidemiologic study of sleep disorders was conducted among primary school children. Those children with at least one reported biological parent were recruited. A total of 5695 children (mean age 9.2; SD 1.8), 4939 of their reported biological mothers (mean age 38.9; SD 4.6) and 4289 of their reported biological fathers (mean age 43.3; SD 5.5) were studied. RESULTS: The rates of insomnia 3 times/week in the past 12 months were 4.0%, 12.8% and 9.7% for children, mothers and fathers, respectively. A robust familial aggregation of insomnia was found even after adjustment of the shared environmental and socio-demographic factors. There was a significant dose-response relationship among the children across their parental status from neither, fathers, mothers to both parents with insomnia [3.0%, 7.1%, 9.5% and 11.9%; with ORs (95% CIs)=2.48 (1.82-4.37) for fathers, 3.42 (2.55-4.59) for mothers and 4.42 (2.42-8.10) for both parents, respectively]. In addition, the frequency of insomniac symptoms of the parents also had a dose-response effect on the rate of insomnia of their children. CONCLUSIONS: Insomnia is a common problem in both children and their parents. A significant familial aggregation of childhood onset insomnia was seen in this study even after adjustment of the co-risk factors. There was a dose-response effect of parental insomnia on the rate of insomnia of their children with a slight predilection of maternal influences.
OBJECTIVES: There has been limited data on familial aggregation of insomnia. We aimed to explore the prevalence, risk factors and familial aggregation of childhood insomnia with a large community-based sample. METHODS: A community-based epidemiologic study of sleep disorders was conducted among primary school children. Those children with at least one reported biological parent were recruited. A total of 5695 children (mean age 9.2; SD 1.8), 4939 of their reported biological mothers (mean age 38.9; SD 4.6) and 4289 of their reported biological fathers (mean age 43.3; SD 5.5) were studied. RESULTS: The rates of insomnia 3 times/week in the past 12 months were 4.0%, 12.8% and 9.7% for children, mothers and fathers, respectively. A robust familial aggregation of insomnia was found even after adjustment of the shared environmental and socio-demographic factors. There was a significant dose-response relationship among the children across their parental status from neither, fathers, mothers to both parents with insomnia [3.0%, 7.1%, 9.5% and 11.9%; with ORs (95% CIs)=2.48 (1.82-4.37) for fathers, 3.42 (2.55-4.59) for mothers and 4.42 (2.42-8.10) for both parents, respectively]. In addition, the frequency of insomniac symptoms of the parents also had a dose-response effect on the rate of insomnia of their children. CONCLUSIONS:Insomnia is a common problem in both children and their parents. A significant familial aggregation of childhood onset insomnia was seen in this study even after adjustment of the co-risk factors. There was a dose-response effect of parental insomnia on the rate of insomnia of their children with a slight predilection of maternal influences.
Authors: Jessica A Mong; Fiona C Baker; Megan M Mahoney; Ketema N Paul; Michael D Schwartz; Kazue Semba; Rae Silver Journal: J Neurosci Date: 2011-11-09 Impact factor: 6.167
Authors: Jihui Zhang; Ronald C W Ma; Alice P S Kong; Wing Yee So; Albert M Li; Sui Ping Lam; Shirley Xin Li; Mandy W M Yu; Chung Shun Ho; Michael H M Chan; Bin Zhang; Yun Kwok Wing Journal: Sleep Date: 2011-02-01 Impact factor: 5.849
Authors: Susan L Calhoun; Julio Fernandez-Mendoza; Alexandros N Vgontzas; Duanping Liao; Edward O Bixler Journal: Sleep Med Date: 2013-10-16 Impact factor: 3.492
Authors: Jihui Zhang; Siu Ping Lam; Shirley Xin Li; Albert Martin Li; Kelly Y C Lai; Yun-Kwok Wing Journal: Sleep Date: 2011-10-01 Impact factor: 5.849
Authors: Jihui Zhang; Ngan Yin Chan; Siu Ping Lam; Shirley Xin Li; Yaping Liu; Joey W Y Chan; Alice Pik Shan Kong; Ronald C W Ma; Kate C C Chan; Albert Martin Li; Yun-Kwok Wing Journal: Sleep Date: 2016-08-01 Impact factor: 5.849