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Sleep disturbances and neurobehavioral functioning in children with and without juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Teresa M Ward1, Sarah Ringold, Jonika Metz

  • 1University of Washington, Seattle 98195-7266, USA.

Arthritis Care & Research
|April 1, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) experience more sleep disturbances, but show similar neurobehavioral function compared to healthy peers. However, significant sleep issues correlate with slower reaction times in all children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Rheumatology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Neuropsychology

Background:

  • Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a chronic condition affecting children.
  • Sleep disturbances are common in chronic illnesses but understudied in JIA.
  • Neurobehavioral function can be impacted by chronic conditions and sleep quality.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare sleep disturbances and neurobehavioral function in children with JIA versus healthy controls.
  • To investigate the relationship between sleep quality and neurobehavioral performance in children.

Main Methods:

  • 116 children (ages 6-11) participated: 70 with JIA and 46 controls.
  • Parent-completed questionnaires assessed sleep habits and school competence.
  • Children underwent computerized neurobehavioral performance testing.

Main Results:

  • Children with JIA reported significantly higher overall sleep disturbance scores (P < 0.001).
  • No differences in neurobehavioral test performance were found between JIA and control groups.
  • Clinically significant sleep disturbances correlated with slower reaction times in all children (P < 0.03).

Conclusions:

  • Children with JIA exhibit increased parent-reported sleep disturbances.
  • JIA and control children performed similarly on neurobehavioral tests.
  • Sleep disturbance severity is a predictor of slower reaction times, irrespective of JIA status.
Abstract

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