BACKGROUND: To assess whether urban schoolchildren with aggressive behavior are more likely than peers to have symptoms suggestive of sleep-disordered breathing. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey of sleep and behavior in schoolchildren. Validated screening assessments for conduct problems (Connor's rating scale), bullying behavior, and sleep-disordered breathing (pediatric sleep questionnaire) were completed by parents. Teachers completed Connor's teacher rating scale. RESULTS: Among 341 subjects (51% female), 110 (32%) were rated by a parent or teacher as having a conduct problem (T-score ⩾65) and 78 (23%) had symptoms suggestive of sleep-disordered breathing. Children with conduct problems, bullying, or discipline referrals, in comparison to non-aggressive peers, more often had symptoms suggestive of sleep-disordered breathing (each p<0.05). Children with vs. without conduct problems were more likely to snore habitually (p<0.5). However, a sleepiness subscale alone, and not a snoring subscale, predicted conduct problems after accounting for age, gender, a measure of socioeconomic status, and stimulant use. CONCLUSIONS: Urban schoolchildren with aggressive behaviors may have symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing with disproportionate frequency. Sleepiness may impair emotional regulation necessary to control aggression.
BACKGROUND: To assess whether urban schoolchildren with aggressive behavior are more likely than peers to have symptoms suggestive of sleep-disordered breathing. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey of sleep and behavior in schoolchildren. Validated screening assessments for conduct problems (Connor's rating scale), bullying behavior, and sleep-disordered breathing (pediatric sleep questionnaire) were completed by parents. Teachers completed Connor's teacher rating scale. RESULTS: Among 341 subjects (51% female), 110 (32%) were rated by a parent or teacher as having a conduct problem (T-score ⩾65) and 78 (23%) had symptoms suggestive of sleep-disordered breathing. Children with conduct problems, bullying, or discipline referrals, in comparison to non-aggressive peers, more often had symptoms suggestive of sleep-disordered breathing (each p<0.05). Children with vs. without conduct problems were more likely to snore habitually (p<0.5). However, a sleepiness subscale alone, and not a snoring subscale, predicted conduct problems after accounting for age, gender, a measure of socioeconomic status, and stimulant use. CONCLUSIONS: Urban schoolchildren with aggressive behaviors may have symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing with disproportionate frequency. Sleepiness may impair emotional regulation necessary to control aggression.
Authors: Ronald D Chervin; James E Dillon; Kristen Hedger Archbold; Deborah L Ruzicka Journal: J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry Date: 2003-02 Impact factor: 8.829
Authors: Ronald D Chervin; Robert A Weatherly; Deborah L Ruzicka; Joseph W Burns; Bruno J Giordani; James E Dillon; Carole L Marcus; Susan L Garetz; Timothy F Hoban; Kenneth E Guire Journal: Sleep Date: 2006-04 Impact factor: 5.849
Authors: Louise M O'Brien; Cheryl R Holbrook; Carolyn B Mervis; Carrie J Klaus; Jennifer L Bruner; Troy J Raffield; Jennifer Rutherford; Rochelle C Mehl; Mei Wang; Andrew Tuell; Brittany C Hume; David Gozal Journal: Pediatrics Date: 2003-03 Impact factor: 7.124