Fern Jaspers-Fayer1, Sarah Yao Lin1, Laura Belschner1, Janet Mah1, Elaine Chan1, Clare Bleakley1, Rhonda Ellwyn2, Annie Simpson3, Katherine McKenney3, S Evelyn Stewart4. 1. Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada. 2. BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, Canada. 3. Provincial Health Services Authority, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada. 4. Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; Provincial Health Services Authority, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada. Electronic address: evelyn.stewart@ubc.ca.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Sleep disturbances, including delayed sleep phase disorder (DSPD) and disorders of sleep initiation and maintenance (DIMS), have repeatedly been identified in adult obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). These disturbances have not been well-characterized objectively in pediatric OCD. METHODS: Thirty OCD-affected youth (8-18 yrs, 40% male) and 30 age and gender-matched healthy controls (HCs) completed the Sleep Disturbances Scale for Children (SDSC), and one week of continuous actigraphy with concurrent sleep diary documentation. A subsample completed the Children's Sleep Hygiene Scale (CSHS) and Sleep Attitudes and Beliefs Scale (SABS). RESULTS: Seventy-two percent of OCD participants reported sleep disturbances versus 15% of HC participants (p < 0.001). Convergent actigraphy results suggested DIMS but not DSPD were common. DISCUSSION: The parents of OCD-affected children seem to be successfully controlling bedtimes, preventing circadian rhythm system disruptions. OCD status does adversely impact, however, the perisleep arousal system. These results have important clinical implications, suggesting sleep problems may be best managed through direct treatment of OCD symptoms. It is recommended that all pediatric OCD patients be screened for sleep disturbances to inform treatment plan development.
BACKGROUND:Sleep disturbances, including delayed sleep phase disorder (DSPD) and disorders of sleep initiation and maintenance (DIMS), have repeatedly been identified in adult obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). These disturbances have not been well-characterized objectively in pediatric OCD. METHODS: Thirty OCD-affected youth (8-18 yrs, 40% male) and 30 age and gender-matched healthy controls (HCs) completed the Sleep Disturbances Scale for Children (SDSC), and one week of continuous actigraphy with concurrent sleep diary documentation. A subsample completed the Children's Sleep Hygiene Scale (CSHS) and Sleep Attitudes and Beliefs Scale (SABS). RESULTS: Seventy-two percent of OCDparticipants reported sleep disturbances versus 15% of HC participants (p < 0.001). Convergent actigraphy results suggested DIMS but not DSPD were common. DISCUSSION: The parents of OCD-affected children seem to be successfully controlling bedtimes, preventing circadian rhythm system disruptions. OCD status does adversely impact, however, the perisleep arousal system. These results have important clinical implications, suggesting sleep problems may be best managed through direct treatment of OCD symptoms. It is recommended that all pediatric OCDpatients be screened for sleep disturbances to inform treatment plan development.
Authors: Sydney D Biscarri Clark; Ashley A Lahoud; Theresa R Gladstone; Emily P Wilton; Christopher A Flessner Journal: Child Psychiatry Hum Dev Date: 2022-03-21
Authors: Vincent O Mancini; Daniel Rudaizky; Benjamin T D Pearcy; Angela Marriner; Carmela F Pestell; Rapson Gomez; Romola S Bucks; Wai Chen Journal: Sleep Med X Date: 2019-07-12