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Family functioning among adolescents with narcolepsy.
Arpita Parmar1,2, Eluen Ann Yeh2,3, Daphne J Korczak2,4
1Division of Respiratory Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario.
Paediatrics & Child Health
|December 18, 2019
Summary
Family functioning is negatively impacted in adolescents with narcolepsy, similar to those with chronic pain. This highlights the need for clinical support for these families.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Sleep Medicine
- Family Psychology
- Chronic Illness Management
Background:
- Narcolepsy is a chronic, incurable sleep disorder typically emerging in adolescence.
- Caring for an adolescent with a lifelong condition can strain family dynamics and overall functioning.
- Understanding the impact on families is crucial for comprehensive care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate family functioning in adolescents diagnosed with narcolepsy.
- To compare family functioning in narcolepsy patients with that of adolescents experiencing chronic pain.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 30 adolescents (aged 10-18) with narcolepsy.
- Family functioning assessed using the PedsQL Family Impact Module (completed by caregivers).
- Comparison made with published data on family functioning in adolescents with chronic pain.
Main Results:
- Family functioning was found to be impaired in adolescents with narcolepsy.
- The level of impairment was comparable to that observed in adolescents with chronic pain (P=0.849).
Conclusions:
- Adolescents with narcolepsy experience impaired family functioning.
- Clinical teams should proactively assess family well-being and offer necessary resources and support during routine visits.
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