Lucila Bizari Fernandes do Prado

Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children: Translation, cultural adaptation, and validation

INTRODUCTION The Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) is a 26-item instrument for evaluating sleep among children aged 3-18 years. It differentiates among conditions such as disorders of initiating and maintaining sleep, sleep breathing disorders, disorders of arousal, sleep-wake transition disorders, excessive somnolence, and sleep hyperhydrosis. The aim of this study was to translate, culturally adapt, and validate it for Brazilian Portuguese. METHOD The study was carried out in two phases: (1) forward translation, back translation, pretesting, and calculation of sample size; (2) validation: reliability (Chronbachs alpha), convergent analysis (Pearson correlation), and discriminatory validity (comparing the scores of the test with the results of polysomnography). One hundred children, aged 3-18 years, accompanied by their parents and/or guardians participated in the phases. PSG studies have been done to calculate the sample size and validation. RESULTS The scale instructions and items were adapted regarding semantic, experiential, conceptual, and cultural equivalence validation. The scale structure related to visual communication was also adapted to Brazilian population preference and habits, and this resulted in a chart with clear instructions and easy recognition of the statements and possible responses. Reliability analysis showed values greater than 0.55. There has been reasonable convergent validity. Discriminatory validity using the PSG study for positive sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) was 8.9, attesting discriminatory validity only for SDB. The three questions of the scale can screen SDB. CONCLUSION The SDSC was translated, adapted and validated for Brazilian Portuguese, and it presented internal consistency and convergent and discriminatory validity. It can be used in population-based studies in order to screen for sleep-disordered breathing in children.

Translation and validation into the Brazilian Portuguese of the restless legs syndrome rating scale of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group

BACKGROUND Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a chronic sensory-motor disorder characterized by unpleasant limb sensations and an irresistible urge to move. The International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group developed the Restless Legs Syndrome Rating Scale (IRLS) to assess the severity of RLS symptoms. The objective of this study was to translate and validate the IRLS into Brazilian Portuguese. METHOD The IRLS was translated into Brazilian Portuguese, analyzed, back translated to English, and compared to the original version. It was applied to 10 patients for cultural verification. The language was adjusted and the final version was administered to 30 patients (13 male, mean age 58.88+/-14.82). RESULTS There was correlation among the IRLS evaluation of three experts. Many linguistic adaptations were required to achieve cultural adequacy and the Cronbachs alpha coefficient showed reliability of 80%. CONCLUSION IRLS was translated, adapted, and validated to Brazilian Portuguese language, showing good reliability and validity.

Cognitive dysfunction in children with sleep-disordered breathing

Two daily school periods are mandatory in Brazil owing to a shortage of academic facilities, which can decrease cognitive performance, especially in children with sleep-disordered breathing. This study aimed to verify the influence of starting time to school on cognition, comparing children with sleep disorders and normal children. Cognition was assessed in 79 children with sleep-disordered breathing, 468 children with nonrespiratory sleep disorders, and 633 normal control children. We analyzed total sleep time, starting time to school (morning or afternoon), and grades. First grade morning students with sleep-disordered breathing had 8.04 higher odds for cognitive dysfunction than normal children. For children with sleep-disordered breathing, second and third grade morning students had higher odds for cognitive dysfunction than those who studied in the afternoon (3.69 and 4.07). Fourth grade morning students had 8.27 higher odds for cognitive dysfunction than first grade children. In conclusion, sleep-disordered breathing, grades, and starting time to school interact to affect cognition in Brazilian children. (J Child Neurol 2005;20:400—404).

Sleep disorders in cerebellar ataxias

Cerebellar ataxias comprise a wide range of etiologies leading to central nervous system-related motor and non-motor symptoms. Recently, a large body of evidence has demonstrated a high frequency of non-motor manifestations in cerebellar ataxias, specially in autosomal dominant spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA). Among these non-motor dysfunctions, sleep disorders have been recognized, although still under or even misdiagnosed. In this review, we highlight the main sleep disorders related to cerebellar ataxias focusing on REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), restless legs syndrome (RLS), periodic limb movement in sleep (PLMS), excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), insomnia and sleep apnea.

Sleep disorders in pregnancy

CONTEXT The precise function of sleep in animals and human beings is still unknown, and any sort of physical, social or psychological variation may change the normal sleep-wake cycle. PURPOSE This research aims is to determine the sleep disorders (SD) for each of the three trimesters of the pregnancy comparing them to the pre-pregnancy state (PG). METHOD SD were investigated in three hundred pregnant women 11- to 40-years-old through with a brief clinical interview based on directed questions. One hundred pregnant women were considered for each trimester. RESULTS The rate of pregnant women with insomnia increased by 23% in the 2nd trimester (p< 0.005); the rate for excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) by 15% in the 1st trimester (p<0.003), 55% in the 2nd trimester (p<0.001) and by 14% in the 3rd trimester (p<0.002); the rate for mild sleepiness increased by 33% in the 2nd trimester (p<0.002) and by 48% in the 3rd trimester (p<0.001); the rate for specific awakenings increased by 63% in the 1st trimester, by 80% in the 2nd trimester and by 84% in the 3rd trimester (p<0.001). CONCLUSION SD were more frequent during pregnancy comparatively to PG state, mostly at the expenses of EDS and specific awakenings.

Mouth breathing children have cephalometric patterns similar to those of adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

OBJECTIVE To determine whether mouth breathing children present the same cephalometric patterns as patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). METHOD Cephalometric variables were traced and measured on vertical lateral cephalometric radiographs. The cephalometric measurements of 52 mouth and 90 nose breathing children were compared with apneic patients. The children had not undergone adenoidectomy or tonsillectomy and had not had or were not receiving orthodontic or orthopedic treatment. RESULTS Mouth breathing children showed same cephalometric pattern observed in patients with OSAS: a tendency to have a retruded mandible (p=0.05), along with greater inclination of the mandibular and occlusal planes (p<0.01) and a tendency to have greater inclination of the upper incisors (p=0.08). The nasopharyngeal and posterior airway spaces were greatly reduced in mouth breathing children, as observed in patients with apnea (p<0.01). CONCLUSION Mouth breathing children present abnormal cephalometric parameters and their craniofacial morphology resembles that of patients with OSAS.

ANTICONVULSANTS TO TREAT IDIOPATHIC RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME : Systematic review

BACKGROUND Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sensory motor disorder characterized by a distressing urge to move the legs and sometimes also other parts of the body usually accompanied by a marked sense of discomfort or pain in the leg or other affected body part. Many treatments have been used to minimize the discomfort of the disease, among them the anticonvulsant therapy. AIM This review aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of anticonvulsant treatment for idiopathic RLS. METHOD Systematic review of randomized or quasi-randomized, double blind trials on anticonvulsant treatment for RLS. OUTCOMES relief of RLS symptoms, subjective and objective sleep quality, quality of life, and adverse events associated with the treatments. RESULTS A total of 231 patients were randomized in three cross over studies and one parallel study. Three studies with carbamazepine, one with sodium valproate, and one with gabapentin, and they were very heterogeneous so we could not perform a meta-analysis. CONCLUSIONS There is no scientific evidence on RLS treatment with anticonvulsants for clinical practice.

Sleep habits and starting time to school in Brazilian children

OBJECTIVE This study investigated the sleep habits in Brazilian children according to age, gender and starting time to school. METHOD We investigated 2,482 scholars aged 7 to 10 years. We compared sleep habits, gender, and starting time to school (morning and afternoon). RESULTS Sixty-one per cent of the children presented sleep rituals before sleep. Milk drinking before sleep was more frequent among seven years old children. We found a progressive reduction with age in keeping the lights on. Girls used to leave an object to bed more than boys did. Children that studied in the morning presented reduced total sleep time, sleep earlier, and nap more frequently than children that studied in the afternoon. CONCLUSION Starting time to school deeply influences sleep habits in Brazilian children from São Paulo City, in whom bed-time rituals are highly prevalent.

Sleep disorders in Machado-Joseph disease: a dopamine transporter imaging study.

OBJECTIVES Sleep disorders, especially restless legs syndrome (RLS) and rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD), are common in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 or Machado-Joseph disease (MJD), and a possible underlying dopaminergic dysfunction is implicated. This study assessed the relationship between sleep disorders in MJD and dopamine transporter (DAT) densities. PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty-two patients with MJD and twenty healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. MJD patients underwent clinical sleep evaluation and polysomnography. SPECT with [(99m)Tc]-TRODAT-1, was performed in all subjects. RESULTS DAT densities were significantly reduced in MJD group when compared to controls. No significant correlation was found between DAT densities and RLS or RBD in MJD. CONCLUSION Our study failed to demonstrate a clear correlation between sleep disorders and DAT densities in MJD patients, hence suggesting that extrastriatal and non-presynaptic dopamine pathways could be implicated in MJD-related sleep disorders.

Sleep disorders are associated with impulsivity in school children aged 8 to 10 years

CONTEXT Sleep has an important function in the physical and emotional development of children. Some studies suggest an association between impulsivity and sleep disorders. However, little is known about this association in schoolchildren aged 8 to 10 years. METHOD We studied 1180 children, 547 with sleep disorders (SD) and 633 without SD (control group), classified with SD questionnaires. Within the SD group, 53 children with sleep-related respiratory disorders (SRRD) and 521 children with non-respiratory sleep disorders (NRSD) were analyzed. We assessed emotional indicators of impulsivity with Bender test. RESULTS More SD children presented impulsivity than control group (p<0.05). More NRSD and 10 years old children presented impulsivity than control group of the same age (p=0.001). Impulsivity and SRRD were associated with 8 years old children (p<0.05). CONCLUSION Children with SD, 8 years old children with SRRD, and 10 years old children with NRSD presented higher proportion of impulsivity than control children.