HbA1c and the risk of developing peripheral neuropathy in childhood-onset type 1 diabetes: A follow-up study over 3 decades.

AIMS: We have evaluated long-term weighted mean HbA1c (wHbA1c), HbA1c variability, diabetes duration, and lipid profiles in relation to the development of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), nephropathy, and retinopathy in childhood-onset type 1 diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a longitudinal cohort study, 49 patients (21 women) with childhood-onset type 1 diabetes were investigated with neurophysiological measurements, blood tests, and clinical examinations after a diabetes duration of 7.7 (±3.3) years (baseline) and followed with repeated examinations for 30.6 (±5.2) years. We calculated wHbA1c by integrating the area under all HbA1c values since the diabetes diagnosis. Lipid profiles were analysed in relation to the presence of DPN. Long-term fluctuations of HbA1c variability were computed as the standard deviation of all HbA1c measurements. Data regarding the presence of other diabetes complications were retrieved from medical records. RESULTS: In this follow-up study, 51% (25/49) of the patients fulfilled electrophysiological criteria for DPN. In nerve conduction studies, there was a deterioration in the amplitudes and conduction velocities for the median, peroneal, and sural nerves over time. Patients with DPN had a longer duration of diabetes, higher wHbA1c, and increased HbA1c variability. The lowest wHbA1c value associated with the development of DPN was 62 mmol/mol (7.8%). The presence of albuminuria and retinopathy was positively correlated with the presence of neuropathy. CONCLUSIONS: More than half of the patients had developed DPN after 30 years. None of the patients who developed DPN had a wHbA1c of less than 62 mmol/mol (7.8%).

The ethos brief index-validation of a brief questionnaire to evaluate wellness based on a holistic perspective in patients with restless legs syndrome.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to validate the Ethos Brief Index (EBI) in patients with Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS). METHODS: A cross-sectional design, including 788 subjects with RLS (65% women, 70.8 years, SD 11.3) from the Swedish RLS Association, was used. A postal survey was sent out to collect data regarding socio demographics, comorbidities, and RLS-related treatment data. Questionnaires included were EBI, the Restless Legs Syndrome-6 Scale (RLS-6), Restless Legs Syndrome-Quality of Life questionnaire (RLSQoL), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). The validity and reliability of the EBI were investigated using Rasch and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) models. Measurement invariance, unidimensionality, and differential item functioning (DIF) across age and gender groups, as well as insomnia, daytime sleepiness, RLS-related QoL and RLS severity were assessed. RESULTS: The results supported the unidimensionality of the EBI in the CFA (i.e., explaining 61.5% of the variance) and the Rasch model. The reliability of the EBI was confirmed using composite reliability and Cronbach's alpha. No DIF was identified for gender, age, insomnia, daytime sleepiness, RLS severity or RLS-related QoL. CONCLUSION: The EBI showed good validity and reliability and operated equivalently for male and female patients with RLS. Accordingly, healthcare professionals can use the EBI as a psychometrically sound tool to explore and identify patient-centered problems related to the whole life situation.

Experiences of facilitators and barriers for fulfilment of human needs when living with restless legs syndrome: a qualitative study.

PURPOSE: Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a widespread condition that affects sleep leading to daytime sleepiness, depression, and reduced quality of life. This study aims to determine and describe how patients with RLS experience their everyday life, with a focus on facilitators and barriers related to Maslow's hierarchical theory of human needs. METHOD: Semi-structured interviews were analysed with qualitative content analysis resulting in facilitators and barriers affecting the fulfilment of the five human needs. RESULTS: Addressing RLS symptoms through medications and a quiet sleep environment fulfils psychological needs. Control over RLS symptoms, engagement in activities, trust in treatments, and social support meet safety and security needs. Social inclusion, close relationships, and meaningful interactions fulfil a sense of belongingness and love needs despite RLS. Competence in managing RLS, effective self-care strategies, confident communication, and trust-building support esteem needs. Finally, comprehensive understanding through person-centred interventions and coping fulfils the self-actualization needs in managing RLS. CONCLUSION: Holistic and person-centred interventions, including facilitators for the fulfilment of physiological, psychological, and social needs could help healthcare professionals to provide holistic care.

Quality of life among patients with restless legs syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The primary aim was to estimate the pooled mean score of quality of life (QoL) (total, mental and physical health components) among patients with Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS). Secondary aims were to assess: (I) QoL differences for RLS vs. control groups, (II) heterogeneity and possible sources; and (III) moderating variables. METHODS: Studies identified in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ProQuest between January 2000 and December 2022 were included. Methodological quality was assessed with Newcastle Ottawa Scale. The protocol was pre-registered (PROSPERO, CRD42023387318). RESULTS: Twenty-seven studies (20121 participants, 12 countries) were included. The corrected pooled estimated mean score of QoL was 47.92 (27 studies, CI 95 %: 43.11 to 52.72, range 0-100, i.e., low-high QoL) and was marginally affected by publication year (increased 0.89 by each year, p = 0.12). The corrected pooled estimated mean score of the mental health component was 47.32 (17 studies, 95 % CI: 43.12 to 51.51, range 0-100) and influenced by RLS instrument (decreased with recent versions, p = 0.05). The corrected pooled estimated mean score of the physical health component was 39.08 (17 studies, 95 % CI: 33.05 to 45.10, range 0-100), with no statistically significant moderator. The pooled estimated QoL scores were statistically significantly lower in RLS patients compared to control groups with standardized mean difference (SMD) of -0.78, -0.57 and -0.50 respectively for overall QoL (24 studies), physical and mental health components (14 studies). Total QoL SMD was affected by proportion of women. CONCLUSION: Low QoL was revealed among RLS patients, which was statistically significantly reduced compared to control groups.

Validation of two brief instruments (the SURE and CollaboRATE) to measure shared decision-making in patients with restless legs syndrome.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common neurological disorder characterised by an urge to move arms and legs, usually associated with discomfort, pain, motor restlessness, and sleep disturbance. An individually adapted treatment is needed but difficult to optimise, which makes shared decision-making (SDM) important. However, brief validated instruments on how patients with RLS perceive their involvement in treatment decisions are lacking. Therefore, the aim was to validate two instruments, SURE (Sure of myself, Understand information, Risk-benefit ratio, Encouragement, i.e., to assess decisional conflict) and CollaboRATE (brief patient survey focused on SDM, i.e., to assess SDM), in patients with RLS. A cross-sectional design, including 788 participants with RLS (65% females, mean [SD] age 70.8 [11.4] years) from a national patient organisation for RLS, was used. A postal survey was sent out to collect data regarding weight, height, comorbidities, demographics, and RLS-related treatment data. The following instruments were included: the SURE, CollaboRATE, Restless Legs Syndrome-6 Scale, and eHealth Literacy Scale. Confirmatory factor analysis and Rasch models were used to assess the validity and reliability of the SURE and CollaboRATE. Measurement invariance, unidimensionality, and differential item functioning (DIF) across age, gender, and medication groups were assessed. The SURE and CollaboRATE were both identified as unidimensional instruments with satisfactory internal consistency. No DIF across age and gender was identified, while significant DIF was observed for both the SURE and CollaboRATE regarding medication use categories. However, both the SURE and CollaboRATE are potential instruments to be used in research, but also as reflection tools by healthcare professionals, patients, and students to explore and assess SDM, and support its development in clinical care.

National Knowledge-Driven Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnea-The Swedish Approach.

INTRODUCTION: This paper describes the development of "Swedish Guidelines for OSA treatment" and the underlying managed care process. The Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) is traditionally used as a single parameter for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) severity classification, although poorly associated with symptomatology and outcome. We instead implement a novel matrix for shared treatment decisions based on available evidence. METHODS: A national expert group including medical and dental specialists, nurses, and patient representatives developed the knowledge-driven management model. A Delphi round was performed amongst experts from all Swedish regions (N = 24). Evidence reflecting treatment effects was extracted from systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and randomized clinical trials. RESULTS: The treatment decision in the process includes a matrix with five categories from a "very weak"" to "very strong" indication to treat, and it includes factors with potential influence on outcome, including (A) OSA-related symptoms, (B) cardiometabolic comorbidities, (C) frequency of respiratory events, and (D) age. OSA-related symptoms indicate a strong incitement to treat, whereas the absence of symptoms, age above 65 years, and no or well-controlled comorbidities indicate a weak treatment indication, irrespective of AHI. CONCLUSIONS: The novel treatment matrix is based on the effects of treatments rather than the actual frequency of respiratory events during sleep. A nationwide implementation of this matrix is ongoing, and the outcome is monitored in a prospective evaluation by means of the Swedish Sleep Apnea Registry (SESAR).

Worldwide estimation of restless legs syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence in the general adult population.

This systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression assessed the prevalence of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in the general adult population. Studies identified in Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycInfo between January 2000 and February 2022 were included if they used a case-control or cross-sectional design and reported data regarding the prevalence of RLS. The protocol was pre-registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; CRD42022300709). A total of 97 studies including 483,079 participants from 33 different countries met the eligibility criteria. The Newcastle Ottawa Scale was used to evaluate the methodological quality, and the fill-and-trim method was used to correct probable publication bias, while the jack-knife method was performed to assess small study effect. The corrected overall pooled prevalence of RLS was 3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4%-3.8%). The pooled prevalence of RLS syndrome was affected by methodological quality (no data from non-respondents in the included studies), gender (higher among women), study design (lower prevalence in case-control versus cohort and cross-sectional studies). The figures for corrected pooled prevalence among men, women, alcohol consumers and smokers were 2.8% (95% CI 2%-3.7%); 4.7% (95% CI 3.2%-6.3%); 1.4% (95% CI 0%-4.2%); and 2.7% (95% CI 0%-5.3%), respectively. The prevalence among male and female participants was lower in community-based versus non-community-based studies. Moreover, the prevalence was higher in developed versus developing countries and among elders versus adults. In conclusion, RLS is a common disorder in the general adult population, with a higher prevalence in women; however, prevalence data are affected by study design and quality.

Correlates of excessive daytime sleepiness in obstructive sleep apnea: Results from the nationwide SESAR cohort including 34,684 patients.

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) is a hallmark symptom in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It is commonly eliminated by obstructive sleep apnea therapy and constitutes a major treatment indication. This study aimed to identify determinants of excessive daytime sleepiness by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) scores in the large, representative national obstructive sleep apnea patient cohort of the Swedish Sleep Apnea Registry (SESAR, www.sesar.se). Data from 34,684 patients with obstructive sleep apnea recruited at 23 sites (33% females, mean age 55.7 ± 13.7 years, BMI 30.2 ± 6.3 kg/m2 , AHI 29.1 ± 22.3, and ODI 24.9 ± 21.4 events/h) had a mean ESS score in the mild to moderate excessive daytime sleepiness range (9.7 ± 4.9). The proportion of patients with excessive daytime sleepiness was 41.4% in men and 44.6% in women. Independent predictors of excessive daytime sleepiness included gender, age, and hypoxic markers (high ODI and low mean saturation). Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify significant predictors for the ESS score and for excessive daytime sleepiness (ESS ≥10) amongst anthropometric factors, sleep apnea frequency (apnea-hypopnea index (AHI)), markers of intermittent hypoxia (oxygen desaturation index (ODI), mean saturation (mSaO2 )), as well as prevalent comorbidities. Depression was associated with higher ESS scores and hypertension/atrial fibrillation with lower scores. The oxygen desaturation index provided a stronger predictor of excessive daytime sleepiness than the apnea-hypopnea index. The severity of obstructive sleep apnea, captured as the apnea-hypopnea index, was only weakly associated with daytime sleepiness in this representative obstructive sleep apnea patient cohort. Age had different effects in men and women.The impact of obstructive sleep apnea in a wider patient related perspective needs to be determined after the inclusion of factors other than the apnea-hypopnea index.

Physical Capacity and Activity in Patients With Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus.

Introduction: Most patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) improve gait after surgery. However, knowledge on physical capacity and activity after shunt surgery is limited. One of the aims of this study was to evaluate the effect of shunt surgery in patients with iNPH on short-distance walking, functional exercise capacity, functional strength, and variables of activity and sleep, 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Another aim was to evaluate the effect of a physical exercise program. Additionally, we studied how changes in short-distance walking were correlated with functional exercise capacity and voluntary walking. Methods: In total, 127 patients were consecutively included and randomized to the exercise group (n = 62) or the control group (n = 65). Participants in the exercise group underwent the supervision of a 12-week exercise program. All patients were assessed before surgery, at 3 and 6 months postoperatively with the 10-m walk test (10MWT), the 6-min walk test (6MWT), 30-s chair stand test (30sCST), and with the actigraphic recordings of activity variables measured for a total of 24 h/day for at least 3 days. Results: All patients improved at 3 months postoperatively in the 10MWT (p < 0.001), 6MWT (p < 0.001), and 30sCST (p < 0.001). These results were maintained after 6 months. Actigraphic recordings for voluntary walking (steps per minute) were improved and nighttime sleep (%) increased after 6 months (p = 0.01, p = 0.04). There were no significant differences between the exercise group and the control group, except for the postoperative change in the proportion of daytime sleep after 3 months, which was slightly more reduced compared to baseline in the exercise group (p = 0.04). Changes after 3 months in the 10MWT and 6MWT were moderately correlated (ρ= -0.49, p = 0.01) whereas the correlation between the 10MWT and voluntary walking was weak (ρ = -0.34, p = 0.01). Conclusion: Shunt surgery improved short-distance walking, functional exercise capacity, functional strength, and voluntary walking. An exercise program did not affect these outcomes. Short-distance walking was weakly correlated with voluntary walking, indicating improved physical capacity does not directly translate to increased physical activity. Further research should address how interventions should be tailored to promote physical activity after shunt surgery. Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov, Id: NCT02659111.

Sleep Measurements in Women.

Sleep in women and men have been studied in several studies with higher prevalence of sleep complaints in women compared with men. Several factors can affect sleep and could be argued to contribute to sex and gender differences in general sleep. There are no differences in guidelines when measuring sleep in women but several sleep assessment tools have been validated or compared between sexes. Because there is still a lack of knowledge on sleep measurements in women, the present review aimed to produce an overview of the current knowledge of objective and subjective sleep measurements in women.

Longitudinal Relationships between Nomophobia, Addictive Use of Social Media, and Insomnia in Adolescents.

(1) Background: Temporal relationships between nomophobia (anxiety related to 'no mobile phone phobia'), addictive use of social media, and insomnia are understudied. The present study aimed to use a longitudinal design to investigate temporal relationships between nomophobia, addictive use of social media, and insomnia among Iranian adolescents; (2) Methods: A total of 1098 adolescents (600 males; 54.6%; age range = 13 to 19) were recruited from 40 randomly selected classes in Qazvin, Iran. They completed baseline assessments. The same cohort was invited to complete three follow-up assessments one month apart. Among the 1098 adolescents, 812 (400 males; 49.3%; age range = 13 to 18) completed the baseline and three follow-up assessments. In each assessment, the participants completed three questionnaires, including the Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q), Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI); (3) Results: Multilevel linear mixed-effects regression analyses showed that participants demonstrated increased insomnia longitudinally over 3 months (B = 0.12 and 0.19; p = 0.003 and <0.001). Insomnia was associated with nomophobia (B = 0.20; p < 0.001) and addictive use of social media (B = 0.49; p < 0.001). Nomophobia and addictive use of social media interacted with time in associations with insomnia as demonstrated by significant interaction terms (B = 0.05; p < 0.001 for nomophobia; B = 0.13; p < 0.001 for addictive use of social media); (4) Conclusions: Both nomophobia and addictive use of social media are potential risk factors for adolescent insomnia. The temporal relationship between the three factors suggests that parents, policymakers, and healthcare providers may target reducing nomophobia and addictive use of social media to improve adolescents' sleep.

Prolonged Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Sleep Medicine Services-Longitudinal Data from the Swedish Sleep Apnea Registry.

The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic has affected the operation of health care systems. The direct impact of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on COVID-19 infection outcome remains to be elucidated. However, the coincidence of common risk factors for OSA and severe COVID-19 suggests that patients with OSA receiving positive airway pressure therapy may have an advantage relative to those untreated when confronted with a COVID-19 infection. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has led to a substantial reduction of sleep medicine services, and the long-term consequences may be considerable. New strategies for the management of sleep disorders are needed to overcome the current underdiagnosis and delay of treatment.

The effect of nurse-led Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia on patients with cardiovascular disease: A randomized controlled trial with 6-month follow-up.

AIM: To test the effect of nurse-led Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (I-CBTI), tailored for patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD), with a 6-month follow-up. DESIGN: A two-arm parallel-group randomized controlled trial (RCT) registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NTC03938805) and reported according to the CONSORT checklist. METHODS: Forty-eight patients (mean age 72 years, 65% men) diagnosed with CVD and insomnia were randomized to either 9-week nurse-led I-CBTI with support, or an Internet-based self-study programme without support (control group). Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) were used as primary and secondary outcomes. RESULTS: ISI showed a significant treatment effect of I-CBTI compared to the control group at 9-week follow-up. The mean ISI score in the I-CBTI group at 9 weeks post-treatment was maintained at the 6-month follow-up. Patients' adherence to I-CBTI was associated with a better effect on both the ISI and SF-12.

Communication during the initial visit to a CPAP clinic Practitioners' experiences of facilitators and barriers when talking to patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Adherence to continuous positive airway pressure treatment for obstructive sleep apnea tends to be poor. Communication influences adherence but has not previously been investigated from a practitioner perspective, although shared decision-making is known to be of great importance. The aim was to describe how practitioners experience communication with patients with obstructive sleep apnea during the initial visit at a continuous positive airway pressure treatment clinic, with focus on facilitators and barriers related to the 4 Habits Model, a communication model comprised of four types of interrelated skills to make encounters more patient-centred: investing in the beginning; exploring the patient perspective; showing empathy; and investing in the end. A descriptive design with qualitative content analysis was used. A deductive analysis was carried out based on interviews with 24 strategically selected practitioners from seven continuous positive airway pressure treatment clinics. The 4 Habits Model was used as a framework for identifying facilitators and barriers to communication. Investments in the beginning was described as creating contact, showing the agenda and being adaptive, while explore the patient perspective included showing awareness, being explorative and creating a participating climate. Show empathy consisted of showing openness, being confirmative and creating acceptance, while showing a structured follow-up plan, being open minded and invitational and creating motivation to build on were descriptions of invest in the end. Awareness of potential facilitators and barriers for patient-centred communication during the beginning, middle and end of a continuous positive airway pressure treatment consultation can be used to improve contextual conditions and personal communication competences among practitioners working with continuous positive airway pressure treatment initiation.

Translation and validation of the English-language instrument Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionair into Swedish.

INTRODUCTION: In orthognathic surgery, understanding the patient's motives for treatment is a key factor for postoperative patient satisfaction and treatment success. In countries/systems where orthognathic surgery is funded by public means, patients are referred mainly due to functional problems, although studies of quality of life related changes after treatment indicate that psychosocial and aesthetic reasons might be equal or more important for the patient. There is no available validated condition specific instruments in the Swedish language for quality of life evaluation of patients with dentofacial deformities. Aims/objectives: Cross cultural translation and adaptation of the English-language instrument 'Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire' (OQLQ) into Swedish. Methods: OQLQ was translated into Swedish. A total of 121 patients in four groups were recruited and the Swedish version of the OQLQ (OQLQ-S) was tested by psychometric methods. Reliability was assessed by internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Validity was evaluated by face, convergent and discriminant validity. Results/findings and conclusions: OQLQ-S is reliable and showed good construct validity and internal consistency and can be used in a Swedish speaking population as a complement to clinical variables to evaluate patients with dentofacial deformity.

Efficacy of a Theory-Based Cognitive Behavioral Technique App-Based Intervention for Patients With Insomnia: Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Sleep hygiene is important for maintaining good sleep and reducing insomnia. OBJECTIVE: This study examined the long-term efficacy of a theory-based app (including cognitive behavioral therapy [CBT], theory of planned behavior [TPB], health action process approach [HAPA], and control theory [CT]) on sleep hygiene among insomnia patients. METHODS: The study was a 2-arm single-blind parallel-group randomized controlled trial (RCT). Insomnia patients were randomly assigned to a treatment group that used an app for 6 weeks (ie, CBT for insomnia [CBT-I], n=156) or a control group that received only patient education (PE, n=156) through the app. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months postintervention. Primary outcomes were sleep hygiene, insomnia, and sleep quality. Secondary outcomes included attitudes toward sleep hygiene behavior, perceived behavioral control, behavioral intention, action and coping planning, self-monitoring, behavioral automaticity, and anxiety and depression. Linear mixed models were used to evaluate the magnitude of changes in outcomes between the two groups and across time. RESULTS: Sleep hygiene was improved in the CBT-I group compared with the PE group (P=.02 at 1 month, P=.04 at 3 months, and P=.02 at 6 months) as were sleep quality and severity of insomnia. Mediation analyses suggested that perceived behavioral control on sleep hygiene as specified by TPB along with self-regulatory processes from HAPA and CT mediated the effect of the intervention on outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Health care providers might consider using a CBT-I app to improve sleep among insomnia patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03605732; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03605732.

Palatal Sensory Function Worsens in Untreated Snorers but not in CPAP-Treated Patients With Sleep Apnea, Indicating Vibration-Induced Nervous Lesions.

BACKGROUND: Signs of both motor and sensory nervous lesions have previously been shown in the upper airway of patients with OSA and habitual snorers. Snoring per se may damage all upper airway neurons over time, thereby causing progression to manifest sleep apnea. To test this hypothesis, nonsnoring subjects, untreated snorers, and CPAP-treated patients underwent repeated sensory testing of the soft palate in a prospective long-term study. METHODS: Cold detection threshold (CDT) testing at the soft palate and lip with a thermode and nocturnal respiratory recordings were performed in 2008 to 2009 with retesting 6 to 7 years later. RESULTS: In 25 untreated snorers, palatal CDT worsened from a median (25th-75th percentile range) 4.2°C (3.2-5.9) to 11.0°C (7.0-17.4) (P < .001). The apnea-hypopnea index increased from a median 7.0 to 14.0 events/h (P < .05). There was no significant correlation between changes in CDT and the apnea-hypopnea index. In 21 nonsnoring control subjects, palatal CDT increased from a median 3.2°C to 5.6°C (P < .005). In 19 CPAP-treated patients, palatal CDT did not significantly change; eight patients had improved values. CDTs worsened significantly more in the snorers group than in the control subjects (P < .05) and the CPAP-treated patients (P < .001). There was no significant difference between control subjects and CPAP-treated patients. CONCLUSIONS: CDT worsened considerably over time in untreated snorers, significantly more than in nonsnoring control subjects and CPAP-treated patients. Untreated snorers therefore risk developing poor sensitivity in the upper airway. In contrast, efficient treatment of OSA seems to protect the sensory innervation, as the CPAP-treated group maintained their sensitivity to cold and, in some cases, the sensitivity even improved.

A thorough psychometric comparison between Athens Insomnia Scale and Insomnia Severity Index among patients with advanced cancer.

For patients with cancer, sleep disturbance is commonplace. Using classical test theory and Rasch analyses, the present study compared two commonly used psychometric instruments for insomnia - Athens Insomnia Scale and Insomnia Severity Index - among patients with advanced cancer. Through convenience sampling, patients with cancer at stage III or IV (n = 573; 326 males; mean age = 61.3 years; SD = 10.7) from eight oncology units of university hospitals in Iran participated in the study. All the participants completed the Athens Insomnia Scale, Insomnia Severity Index, Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, General Health Questionnaire-12, Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Additionally, 433 participants wore an Actigraph device for two continuous weekdays. Classical test theory and Rasch analysis both supported the construct validity for Athens Insomnia Scale (factor loadings from confirmatory factor analysis = 0.61-0.87; test-retest reliability = 0.72-0.82; infit mean square = 0.81-1.17; outfit MnSq = 0.79-1.14) and for Insomnia Severity Index (factor loadings from confirmatory factor analysis = 0.61-0.81; test-retest reliability = 0.72-0.82; infit mean square = 0.72-1.14; outfit mean square = 0.76-1.11). Both Athens Insomnia Scale and Insomnia Severity Index had significant associations with Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, General Health Questionnaire-12, Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, as well as having good sensitivity and specificity. Significant differences in the actigraphy measure were found between insomniacs and non-insomniacs based on Athens Insomnia Scale or Insomnia Severity Index score. With promising results, healthcare providers can use either Athens Insomnia Scale or Insomnia Severity Index to understand the insomnia of patients with advanced cancer.

Corrigendum: Altered Brain Microstate Dynamics in Adolescents With Narcolepsy.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2016.00369.].

A classical test theory evaluation of the Sleep Condition Indicator accounting for the ordinal nature of item response data.

BACKGROUND: Insomnia symptoms are common among young adults and affect about 5% to 26% of 19 to 34-year-olds. In addition, insomnia is associated with poor mental health and may affect daily performance. In research, as well as in clinical practice, sleep questionnaires are used to screen for and diagnose insomnia. However, most questionnaires are not developed according to current DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. An exception is the recently developed Sleep Condition Indicator (SCI), an eight-item scale screening for insomnia. AIM: The aim of this study was to perform a Classical Test Theory (CTT) based psychometric evaluation of the SCI in a sample of Swedish university students, by taking the ordinal nature of item level data into account. METHODS: The SCI was translated into Swedish and distributed online to undergraduate students at three Swedish universities, within programs of health, psychology, science or economy. Of 3673 invited students, 634 (mean age 26.9 years; SD = 7.4) completed the questionnaire that, in addition to the SCI, comprised other scales on sleep, stress, lifestyle and students' study environment. Data were analyzed according to CTT investigating data completeness, item homogeneity and unidimensionality. RESULTS: Polychoric based explorative factor analysis suggested unidimensionality of the SCI, and internal consistency was good (Cronbach's alpha, 0.91; ordinal alpha, 0.94). SCI scores correlated with the Insomnia Severity Index (-0.88) as well as with sleep quality (-0.85) and perceived stress (-0.50), supporting external construct validity. CONCLUSIONS: These observations support the integrity of the of the SCI. The SCI demonstrates sound CTT-based psychometric properties, supporting its use as an insomnia screening tool.