Sleep problems of children with Down syndrome in northern China.

BACKGROUND: Limited research has looked at the present-day sleep problems among Chinese children with Down syndrome (DS). This study aimed to investigate the situation of the sleep problems of school-aged children with DS in northern China. METHODS: Parents of children with DS were a convenience sample recruited through the special education schools of Shandong Province in China. The Chinese version of the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire was applied to assess the sleep problems of children with DS. RESULTS: Parents of 334 children with DS reported the average sleep duration was 9.7 (9.3-10.2) hours per night, and 62.0% of children with DS were reported sleeping less than 10 h per night. Additionally, the total prevalence rate of sleep problems among children with DS was 69.8%. Sleep-disordered breathing (59.2%), sleep duration (33.8%) and bedtime resistance (32.0%) were the three most commonly reported sleeping problems. Younger children with DS (age 6-8 years) had severe problems with bedtime resistance, sleep anxiety and parasomnias than older children with DS (age 9-12 years) (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Sleep problems are prominent among children with DS in northern China and are worthy of attention. Caregivers and health professionals should raise awareness of sleep problems in this group of children and implement targeted interventions to improve their sleep quality as early as possible.

The trajectories and associations of insomnia symptoms with addictive behaviours in adolescents: A two-year longitudinal study.

Insomnia displays heterogeneous trajectories across adolescence, which may induce addictive behaviours, including internet gaming disorder and substance use. This study aimed to investigate the latent trajectory classes of insomnia symptoms over 2 years and to examine the associations between insomnia trajectories and these addictive behaviours. Participants were 910 adolescents from six middle schools in Shanghai, China (52.7% males; mean age = 13.17 years). The three-wave survey measured insomnia symptoms, internet gaming disorder, substance use, depressive symptoms, and sociodemographic characteristics from 7th to 9th grade. Latent class growth modelling was performed to identify the latent trajectory classes of insomnia symptoms. Then multivariable logistic regressions were conducted within the best-fitting latent class growth model to examine the associations of insomnia trajectories with internet gaming disorder and substance use. Two latent trajectory classes of insomnia symptoms were recognised: the non-insomnia group (71.8%) and the insomnia group (28.2%). In the multivariable analysis controlling for baseline demographic variables and depressive symptoms, the insomnia group had a higher risk of developing internet gaming disorder (OR = 2.203 [95% CI: 1.258-3.858]) and substance use (OR = 2.215 [95% CI: 1.324-3.705]) compared with the non-insomnia group. These findings add to a growing body of research on heterogeneous trajectories of insomnia symptoms during adolescence, suggesting that intervention strategies are needed to target the characteristics or developmental patterns of different insomnia subgroups. The ultimate goal is to mitigate the impact of insomnia symptoms on adolescent addictive behaviours.

Sleep Problem in Post COVID-19 Patient, Its Impact on Quality of Life and Current Management: An Evidence-based of Case Report.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is a global health problem that affects both physical and psychological aspect of patients. Sleep problems were experienced by many patients during the acute phase of after COVID-19 recovery. It affects patient's quality of life and required comprehensive management. This evidence-based case report aims to study the effect of sleep disturbance on quality of life and what is the appropriate management in post COVID-19 patients. METHODS: searching were conducted in Pubmed, Cohcrane, EBSCO according to clinical questions. Study was selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, then it was critically appraised. Results: high score on the insomnia severity index and the Pittsburgh sleep quality index were found to be associated with quality of life. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is currently the best evidence-based treatment in patient during and after COVID-19. CONCLUSION: sleep disturbance is a problem that many post COVID-19 patient face and CBT can improve their quality of life.

[Cross-sectional study on the sleep status and risk factors for sleep problems in infants and young children in Jilin Province]. / å‰æž—çœå©´å¹¼å„¿ç¡çœ çŽ°çŠ¶åŠç¡çœ é—®é¢˜å½±å“å› ç´ çš„æ¨ªæ–­é¢ç ”ç©¶.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the sleep status and risk factors for sleep problems in infants and young children in Jilin Province. METHODS: A total of 1 080 healthy infants and young children aged 0-3 years from eight prefecture-level cities and one autonomous prefecture in Jilin Province were selected as subjects. A self-designed questionnaire was used to collect the general information of the subjects, and the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire was used to understand the sleep status of the subjects. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors for sleep problems. RESULTS: The total detection rate of sleep problems in the infants and young children was 38.24% (413/1 080). The total sleep time in the 4-11 month, 12-24 month, and 25-36 month age groups was higher than the recommended total sleep time (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that full-term birth, higher educational level of the main caregiver, and higher daytime activity intensity were protective factors for sleep problems in the infants and young children (P<0.05), while lower frequency of vitamin D supplementation, frequent night feeding, and maternal snoring were risk factors for sleep problems (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The total sleep time of infants and young children over 4 months old in Jilin Province is higher than the recommended total sleep time, but the prevalence rate of sleep problems is higher. The occurrence of sleep problems is related to various factors. Strengthening follow-up on preterm infants, providing education on infant sleep knowledge to primary caregivers, and regularly supplementing with vitamin D can be beneficial in reducing sleep problems in infants and young children.

A randomised controlled dismantling trial of sleep restriction therapies for chronic insomnia disorder in middle childhood: effects on sleep and anxiety, and possible contraindications.

Sleep restriction therapies likely drive improvement in insomnia in middle childhood via increases in homeostatic sleep pressure (e.g., evening sleepiness). Increased evening sleepiness may also dampen comorbid anxiety symptoms; and reduced wakefulness in bed may reduce worry. However, sleep restriction therapies have never been evaluated as a standalone intervention in this population. The mechanism of action needs testing, as do effects on anxiety, and cognitive performance and parasomnias (possible contraindications). This randomised controlled trial evaluated the efficacy of two "doses" of sleep restriction therapy (sleep restriction therapy, bedtime restriction therapy), compared to a control condition (time in bed regularisation). A total of 61 children (mean [SD, range] age 9.1 [2.1, 6-14] years; 54% female) with chronic insomnia disorder received two weekly 60-min treatment sessions with a psychologist. Sleep, sleepiness, anxiety, worry, cognitive performance, and parasomnias were measured pre-treatment, across treatment, and at 4-weeks post-treatment. Both the sleep and bedtime restriction groups experienced reductions in total sleep time (d = 1.38-2.27) and increases in evening sleepiness (d = 1.01-1.47) during the 2-week treatment, and improvements in insomnia (i.e., sleep onset latency; d = 1.10-1.21), relative to the control group. All groups reported improved anxiety and worry, yet there were no differences between the control and restriction groups (all p > 0.658). Time in bed increased at the 1-month follow-up, and benefits to sleep and insomnia were maintained. There were no adverse effects on cognitive functioning (all p > 0.259), nor parasomnia occurrence (all p > 0.740). These results suggest that sleep restriction therapies are brief, yet effective, standalone interventions for insomnia in middle childhood, and improvements are likely due to increased sleepiness, not sleep regularisation.

The association of smartphone screen time with sleep problems among adolescents and young adults: cross-sectional findings from India.

BACKGROUND: Although sleep problem is a growing public health issue with the advancement of technology, especially among adolescents and young adults, it received little attention. The study aimed to examine the association of screen time on smartphone with sleep problems among adolescents and young-adults in India. METHODS: We used data from the "Understanding the lives of adolescents and young-adults" (UDAYA, 2018). The effective sample size for the study was 16,292 adolescents and young adults (males-4428 and females-11,864). Descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis with percentages and chi-square test were used to report the preliminary results. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the association between smartphone screen time and sleep problems, separately for adolescents and young adults. RESULTS: Nearly 15.6% of males and 23.5% of females had sleep problems in their adolescence in the last 15 days, while these percentage were high among young-adults (18.4% males and 33.24% females). Adolescents [AOR: 1.55; CI: 1.21-1.99] and young adults [AOR: 1.48; CI: 1.24-1.75], who spent more than 2 h on smartphone had higher odds of reporting sleep problems than those who did not use smartphone in the last 24 hours. Adolescent females who used smartphone for less or equal to 2 h and three or more hours respectively, had 2.11 [AOR: 2.11; CI: 1.63-2.73] and 2.94 times [AOR: 2.94; CI: 1.97-4.38] higher odds of reporting sleep problems than adolescent males who did not use smartphones. Additionally, among the young adult females, the odds of sleep problems were 1.66 times [AOR: 1.66; CI: 1.55-2.38] and 2.36 times [AOR: 2.36; CI: 1.59-3.51] greater than the non-users young adult males. CONCLUSION: The increased time spent on mobile phones's screen among adolescents and young-adults, particularly in females is associated with a higher likelihood of reporting sleeping problems. The current findings have important implications for adolescence and young-adults' mental health programmes. The findings can also be used to further inform how different strategies need to be developed for better sleep outcome during adolescence and young-adults.

Association between nighttime urinary frequency and sleep problems among Japanese adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a cross-sectional study to investigate the relationship between nighttime urinary frequency and sleep problems in Japanese adolescents. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted among 1757 adolescents (mean age 15.6 ± 1.1 years; 49.0% boys). The survey assessed sleep problems (sleep duration, sleep quality, and insomnia symptoms), nighttime urinary frequency, eating habits (breakfast, late-night eating, energy drink consumption), problematic internet use, engagement in club activities, and mental health. We analyzed the association between nighttime urinary frequency and sleep problems using descriptive statistics and logistic regression models. RESULTS: The response rate was 99.6% (1699 students). The prevalence of nighttime urinary frequency ≥2 was 5.6% in boys and 4.6% in girls. The prevalence rates of sleep problems were: insomnia, 16.4%; difficulty initiating sleep, 11.8%; difficulty maintaining sleep, 5.9%; early-morning awakening, 5.4%; and poor sleep quality, 19.9%. Analysis of the relationship with sleep problems differentiating between zero, one, and two nighttime urinations showed that an increase in nighttime urinary frequency corresponded to an increase in the prevalence of insomnia, difficulty initiating sleep, and difficulty maintaining sleep. Logistic regression analysis also showed that insomnia, difficulty initiating sleep, and difficulty maintaining sleep had a linear, significant relationship with increased nighttime urinary frequency. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that adolescents with high nighttime urinary frequency experience increased sleep problems. Consideration of urinary frequency is required when tackling adolescent sleep problems.

What is in a name? Definitions of insomnia in people with intellectual disabilities.

BACKGROUND: The reported prevalence of insomnia symptoms in people with intellectual disabilities varies greatly, possibly due to the lack of a common definition. This article provides an overview of the different definitions used and formulates key points for a general definition. METHODS: A literature search was performed. An overview of the definitions used was given and compared to the third edition of the international classification of sleep disorders. RESULTS: The search yielded 16 studies. No uniform definition was used. Terminology and cut-off points of insomnia symptoms differed. Insomnia symptoms were mostly described as night-time problems. A minority of studies incorporated daytime consequences. CONCLUSION: An insomnia disorder entails more than merely night-time complaints and should include daytime consequences. A general definition is warranted. This definition should focus on night-time and daytime insomnia symptoms, incorporate subjective features, and discuss the use of objective measurements and influence of environmental circumstances.

The role of sleep disturbances in cognitive function and depressive symptoms among community-dwelling elderly with sleep complaints.

OBJECTIVE: The relationships between sleep problems, cognitive impairments, and depression have been established in the aging population. However, less is known about the role of late-life onset insomnia and sex involved in these dyad or tripartite relationships. This study aimed to consider onset age of insomnia and sex in the relationship between sleep parameters, cognition and depression among older adults with current insomnia complaints. METHOD: A multistep sampling method was adopted to recruit participants with current insomnia complaints in China in 2018. Sleep measures include onset age of insomnia (64 years old or before vs during/after 65), three factors from insomnia severity index (ISI; nighttime, daytime, and perception), excessive daytime sleepiness, and sleep duration. Outcome measures were mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and center for epidemiologic studies depression scale (CESD). RESULTS: The average age of older adults was 75 (SD = 7.1). Among them, 62% participants are female. In general, older aged, female, late-life onset insomnia as well as interaction of sex * onset age of insomnia were significantly associated with poorer cognition. Yet, age, sex, and onset age of insomnia were not significant indicators for depression. For female participants, later onset of insomnia, nighttime symptoms of insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness and depression were risk factors for cognitive decline. Nevertheless, only daytime sleepiness, together with depression, were found positively associated with male participants' cognitive decline. CONCLUSIONS: There were robust associations between daytime sleepiness, depressive symptoms, and poor cognitive performance. More importantly, late-life onset insomnia was particularly indicative for poor cognitive performance among female older adults. Future study should emphasize the specific mechanism involved in changes of sleep patterns in the development of cognitive impairment among older adults. Sex differences in the relationship between onset age of insomnia and cognition also require further attention.

Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and neurocognitive functioning in fire fighters: The mediating role of sleep problems and resilience.

BACKGROUND: Firefighters are often exposed to terrible and dangerous scenes due to their duties, and thus have a high risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder(PTSD). The purpose of the study is to examine the relationship between PTSD symptoms, sleep problems, resilience and neurocognitive functioning of firefighters, and to identify the sequential mediating effects of sleep problems and resilience on the relationship between PTSD symptoms and neurocognitive functioning (especially psychomotor speed and processing speed). METHODS: Data were collected from 325 firefighters in eight fire departments in four regions of Korea. Subjects performed neurocognitive function tests and completed the following questionnaires: Primary Care PTSD Screening, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index-K and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-2. The correlation and dual mediation effects were analysed using SPSS 22.0 program and PROCESS macro 3.4 program. RESULTS: PTSD symptoms, neurocognitive functioning, sleep problems and resilience were significantly correlated with each other. In the sequential mediation model, the relationship between PTSD and psychomotor speed/processing speed was sequentially mediated by sleep problems and resilience after adjusting for demographic variables. CONCLUSIONS: The PTSD symptoms of firefighters were related to a sequential link between sleep problems, low resilience and decreased neurocognitive function. These findings could serve as a basis for more effective and integrated interventional strategies for facilitating better neurocognitive functioning in firefighters.

Sleep Problems of Children with Autism May Independently Affect Parental Quality of Life.

The current study explored how and to what extent sleep problems in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) impacted their parents' quality of life (QOL). A total of 440 ASD children and 344 age-matched typically developing (TD) children were included in the case-control designed study. In the TD group, a linear regression model showed that the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) total scores were negatively associated with maternal mental health summary (MCS) scores in the SF-36v2 (ß = - 2.831), while in the ASD group, the CSHQ total scores were negatively associated with the parental physical health summary (PCS) scores (ß = - 3.030 for mothers, ß = - 3.651 for fathers). Path analysis showed that sleep problems in ASD children had both direct and indirect effects on maternal PCS scores. The results indicated that sleep problems in children with ASD might affect parental QOL differently from TD children, and act as independent impact factors on parental physical health.

[Personalised epilepsy treatment]. / Személyre szabott antiepileptikum-választás.

Epilepsy is one of the most common chronic neurological disease in childhood. Patients with epilepsy - even with so-called benign epilepsy - need medication for years. During this time, children go through a very big change, not only gaining weight and height, but also changing hormonal and metabolic processes. Maturation processes in different brain areas also take place at different rates depending on age. All of these should be considered when preparing a therapeutic plan. In everyday practice after the diagnosis of epilepsy, the applied drug is most often selected based on the shape and type of seizure. However, a number of other factors need to be considered when designing a therapeutic strategy: 1. efficacy (form of epilepsy, type of seizure), 2. age, gender, 3. pharmacological properties of the drug, 4. adverse drug reaction profile, 5. lifestyle (community), figure (skinny, corpulent, obese), 6. other comorbidities (nutrition, behavioral and learning problems, circulatory disorders, kidney or liver disease), 7. expected interactions with other drugs already used, 8. genetics, 9. other aspects (drug registration and prescription rules). The purpose of this article is to help to decide which antiepileptic drugs are expected to have the least side effects in a particular child with different comorbidities and which medications should be avoided if possible.

Commuting time to work and behaviour-related health: a fixed-effect analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Long commuting times are linked to poor health outcomes, but the evidence is mainly cross-sectional. We examined longitudinal within-individual associations between commuting time and behaviour-related health. METHODS: Data were from the Swedish Longitudinal Occupational Survey of Health study. We selected workers who responded to a minimum of two surveys conducted every other year between 2008 and 2018. We included all study waves with self-reported commuting time (ie, the exposure, 1-5, 6-10, 11-15 or ≥15 hours/week), body mass index (based on weight and height), physical (in)activity, smoking, alcohol use and sleep problems (ie, the outcomes) (Nindividuals=20 376, Nobservations=46 169). We used conditional logistic regression for fixed effects analyses that controls for time-varying confounders by design. Analyses were stratified by working hours: normal (30-40 hours/week) or longer than normal (>40 hours/week) and adjusted for time dependent covariates: age, marital status, occupational position, presence of children, chronic disease, depressive symptoms, job strain and shift work. RESULTS: Those working >40 hours/week had higher odds of physical inactivity (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.51) and sleep problems (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.35) when they were commuting >5 hours/week than when they were commuting 1-5 hours/week. Among women working normal hours, longer commuting time associated with lower odds of problem drinking. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that lengthy commuting time increases the risk of physical inactivity and sleep problems if individuals have longer than normal weekly working hours. Effects of work arrangements that decrease commuting time should be examined in relation to health behaviours.

Sleep problems in advanced cancer patients and their caregivers: Who is disturbing whom?

Background The aims of the study were to understand sleep problems and their effects in advanced cancer patients and spousal and intimate partner caregivers and to examine the directionality of the link between patients' and caregivers' sleep problems. Methods Fifty-four advanced cancer patients and their spousal and intimate partners were administered a battery of questionnaires that included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Center for Epidemiological Studies at the patients' cancer diagnosis and at 2, 4, and 6 months after diagnosis. Results Patients' and caregivers' sleep duration was significantly related. Using cross-lagged panel analyses, caregivers' sleep quality significantly predicted patients' sleep quality and patients' sleep quality subsequently predicted caregivers' sleep quality. Patients' sleep latency significantly was found to significantly predict caregivers' sleep latency. Conclusion Patients diagnosed with cancer and their intimate partners have poor sleep quality and sleep patterns are related.

A systematic review of prevention and treatment of infant behavioural sleep problems.

AIM: The aim of this review was to evaluate the evidence for interventions for behavioural sleep problem in infants. METHODS: Systematic review based on a search in MEDLINE, Web of Science and PsychINFO in December 2017 for articles published in English during 2007-2017 about preventive and treatment interventions for sleep problems in infants. The review included controlled trials and meta-analyses with at least 20 infants in study groups assessed according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation criteria. RESULTS: Out of 476 original articles assessed for eligibility, 12 studies were included in the synthesis. Interventions with behavioural, educational and massage strategies were evaluated. No intervention was evaluated in more than one trial. Five interventions with behavioural methods for establishing consistent routines or controlled crying showed modest short-term effects, while the evidence for elements of education was inconsistent. Studies of massage were of poor quality. Knowledge gaps were identified regarding interventions in cross-cultural context, involving fathers, in children below six months of age, in high-risk populations and consequences of interventions that include extinction. CONCLUSION: Some support for short-term effects of behavioural treatment strategies was found, but more studies are needed to establish evidence.

Sleep problems in Korean children with Down syndrome and parental quality of life.

BACKGROUND: Sleep problems are common among children with Down syndrome (DS), and they can have a serious impact on children with DS as well as their parents and other family members. Specific aims of this study were to evaluate parent-reported sleep problems in children with DS and to examine the relationship between the sleep behaviour of children with DS and their parents' quality of life (QOL). METHOD: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in September and October of 2017. Parents of children with DS were recruited from an online self-support community for parents of children with DS in South Korea. The mean age of the parents and children with DS was 40.40 years (SD = 5.09) and 7.89 years (SD = 3.03), respectively. Children's sleep problems and parents' QOL were assessed using the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire and the abbreviated version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life scale, respectively. RESULTS: Results revealed that 83% of the parents reported that their child with DS experienced sleep problems. Children with DS had significantly more bedtime resistance, night waking, parasomnias and sleep-disordered breathing than did typically developing children. In addition, their Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire scores were higher than those of typically developing children. Moreover, being older, being male and having more severe developmental delays were significant risk factors for sleep problems among children with DS. Furthermore, sleep problems in children with DS negatively affected parents' QOL. CONCLUSIONS: Sleep problems negatively affect children with DS as well as their parents; therefore, health care providers should be aware of these issues and help parents manage sleep problems proactively.

A randomized controlled intervention of workplace-based group cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia.

PURPOSE: Sleep disturbance is common in the working population, often associated with work stress, health complaints and impaired work performance. This study evaluated a group intervention at work, based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for insomnia, and the moderating effects of burnout scores at baseline. METHODS: This is a randomized controlled intervention with a waiting list control group. Participants were employees working at least 75% of full time, reporting self-perceived regular sleep problems. Data were collected at baseline, post-intervention and at a 3-month follow-up through diaries, wrist-actigraphy and questionnaires including the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and the Shirom-Melamed Burnout Questionnaire (SMBQ). Fifty-one participants (63% women) completed data collections. RESULTS: A multilevel mixed model showed no significant differences between groups for sleep over time, while there was a significant effect on insomnia symptoms when excluding participants working shifts (N = 11) from the analysis (p = 0.044). Moreover, a moderating effect of baseline-levels of burnout scores was observed on insomnia symptoms (p = 0.009). A post-hoc analysis showed that individuals in the intervention group with low burnout scores at baseline (SMBQ < 3.75) displayed significantly reduced ISI scores at follow-up, compared to individuals with high burnout scores at baseline (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Group CBT for insomnia given at the workplace did not reduce sleep problems looking at the group as a whole, while it was indicated that the intervention reduced insomnia in employees with regular daytime work. The results also suggest that workplace-based group CBT may improve sleep in employees with primary insomnia if not concomitant with high burnout scores.

Factors related to quality of life among older adults in Bangladesh: A cross sectional survey.

This cross-sectional design study aimed to describe quality of life and examine factors related to quality of life among older adults in Bangladesh. Convenience sampling was used to recruit 280 older adults from ten villages in two southern districts. The results demonstrate that the majority of the participants reported an overall moderate score of quality of life. Moreover, participants' sleep problems, depression, religiosity, and activities of daily living were negatively correlated with quality of life whereas social support and health service availability were positively correlated with quality of life. Implementing intervention programs upon the significant related factors to improve older adults' quality of life is recommended.

Objective assessment of sleep status and its correlates in hospitalized children with cancer: Exploratory study.

BACKGROUND: Children with cancer are known to have sleep problems. Although hospitalization and psychosocial factors are considered to be the factors affecting children's sleep, few studies have confirmed these effects. The aims of this study were to describe the sleep status of hospitalized children with cancer and to explore the correlates. METHODS: The sleep status of 11 hospitalized children (aged 2-12 years) with cancer was measured using actigraph and sleep diary during hospitalization and a short home stay. Possible correlates were assessed using a questionnaire. RESULTS: The participants had significantly longer sleep onset latency, earlier bedtime, and poorer self-evaluated sleep quality during hospitalization than the short home stay. They had shorter total sleep time, longer wake time after sleep onset, and less sleep efficiency at home, compared with healthy historical controls. Children's age, symptoms, hospitalization period, Cognitive Fatigue, Procedural Anxiety, Treatment Anxiety, Social Anxiety, and Separation Anxiety, as well as caregiver anxiety, Receptive and Focused Attitude, and Regimented Attitude were significantly correlated with sleep variables. CONCLUSIONS: Hospitalization decreased self-evaluated sleep quality, and difficulty falling asleep. The sleep of the participants at home was disturbed compared with that of healthy children. Hospitalization, patient characteristics, disease-related, and some psychosocial factors were associated with sleep variables. Medical professionals should develop a favorable environment for falling asleep in hospital for individual children. Children with cancer in the early period of hospitalization need increased care to facilitate good sleep.

Factors related to fatigue in Chinese patients with end-stage renal disease receiving maintenance hemodialysis: a multi-center cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUD: Fatigue is considered as a common symptom in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and can significantly decrease patients' quality of life. This study aimed to assess fatigue in hemodialysis patients and to investigate risk factors of fatigue in Chinese patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) in China. METHODS: Eligible patients completed questionnaires including demographic information, a Chinese version of the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-Fatigue), the Family APGAR Index (APGAR), the medical outcomes study health status-Social Functioning subscale (SF-36,SocF), and the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI). Laboratory parameters were abstracted by medical records review. The multiple linear regression model was used to relate parameters with the FACIT-Fatigue score. RESULTS: A total of 345 MHD patients (216 men and 129 women, age 55.6 ± 12.8) were recruited in this study. The score of FACIT-Fatigue was 39 (Interquartile Range, 31-44). Fatigue was correlated with PSQI scores (p < 0.001), SocF scores (p < 0.001), comorbidity (p = 0.006), exercise time <1 hour per day (p = 0.003), adequacy of dialysis (Kt/V) < 1.2 (p = 0.016), APGAR scores (p = 0.014), and high Scr (p = 0.043). CONCLUSIONS: Fatigue is related to sleep disturbance, social and family functioning, taking physical exercise time, comorbidity condition, Kt/V and serum creatinine level in Chinese MHD patients. Future studies and interventions should focus on developing strategies and improving the quality of life in patients by addressing these significant contributing factors.