Efecto del metilfenidato sobre el sueño. Resultados de un estudio multicéntrico en una población infantil afecta de trastorno por déficit de atención e hiperactividad / Methylphenidate and sleep: Results of a multicentre study on a population of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Introducción: El trastorno por déficit de atención e hiperactividad es el trastorno neuroconductual más frecuente entre la población infantil. El metilfenidato (MTF) es el fármaco utilizado más habitualmente en el tratamiento de dicho trastorno. Es importante conocer los efectos que sobre el sueño puede presentar el MTF debido a la repercusión que tiene un sueño insuficiente sobre la conducta y la función cognitiva en el niño. Objetivo: El objetivo de este trabajo es conocer las repercusiones que sobre el sueño puede tener el MTF, utilizando como instrumento evaluador una encuesta. Metodología: Se trata de un estudio multicéntrico en el que han intervenido seis hospitales de la Comunidad de Valencia. Durante un período de seis meses a todos aquellos pacientes a los que se diagnosticó de trastorno por déficit de atención e hiperactividad se les pasó una encuesta antes de iniciar el tratamiento y tres meses después de iniciar dicho tratamiento. La encuesta utilizada fue una versión abreviada del Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire. Se analizaron las diferencias encontradas. Resultados: Se estudió a un total de 114 niños. Se encontraron diferencias significativas en las preguntas que se asocian con enuresis, sonambulismo y somniloquias, disminuyendo estas parasomnias tras el inicio del tratamiento. El resto de variables no experimentó ningún cambio. Conclusiones: A la luz de nuestros resultados podemos decir que el MTF no solo no empeora el sueño, sino que mejora la calidad del sueño en lo que a parasomnias se refiere (AU)

Introduction: The attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neuro-behavioural disorder in children and adolescents. Methylphenidate (MPH) is the drug most often used in the treatment of this disorder. It is important to know the effects methylphenidate can have on sleep due to the repercussions that insufficient sleep can have on the behaviour and cognitive function of children and adolescents. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to find out the repercussions that methylphenidate can have on sleep, using a questionnaire. Methodology: This is a multicentre study in which six hospitals in the Valencian Community took part. All those patients who were diagnosed with ADHD over a period of 6 months were given a questionnaire, before starting treatment, and after three months of this treatment. The questionnaire was a version of the Paediatric Sleep Questionnaire. The differences found were analysed. Results: A total of 114 children were studied. Significant differences were found in the questions associated with enuresis, somnambulism and night-wakings, these sleep disorders decreasing after starting the treatment. The rest of variables did not show any changes.Conclusions: According to our results we can say that the MPH not only does not make worse the sleep, but that it improves the quality of the sleep in those patients with sleep disorders (AU)

[Methylphenidate and sleep: Results of a multicentre study on a population of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder]. / Efecto del metilfenidato sobre el sueño. Resultados de un estudio multicéntrico en una población infantil afecta de trastorno por déficit de atención e hiperactividad.

INTRODUCTION: The attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neuro-behavioural disorder in children and adolescents. Methylphenidate (MPH) is the drug most often used in the treatment of this disorder. It is important to know the effects methylphenidate can have on sleep due to the repercussions that insufficient sleep can have on the behaviour and cognitive function of children and adolescents. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to find out the repercussions that methylphenidate can have on sleep, using a questionnaire. METHODOLOGY: This is a multicentre study in which six hospitals in the Valencian Community took part. All those patients who were diagnosed with ADHD over a period of 6 months were given a questionnaire, before starting treatment, and after three months of this treatment. The questionnaire was a version of the Paediatric Sleep Questionnaire. The differences found were analysed. RESULTS: A total of 114 children were studied. Significant differences were found in the questions associated with enuresis, somnambulism and night-wakings, these sleep disorders decreasing after starting the treatment. The rest of variables did not show any changes. CONCLUSIONS: According to our results we can say that the MPH not only does not make worse the sleep, but that it improves the quality of the sleep in those patients with sleep disorders.

[Sleep disturbances among children and adolescents with learning disabilities. Comparative study between students from a mainstream school and a special school in the Valencia Community (Spain)]. / Trastornos del sueño en niños y adolescentes con incapacidad psíquica. Análisis comparativo entre alumnos escolarizados en centros ordinarios y centros de educación especial de la Comunidad Valenciana.

INTRODUCTION: Sleep disturbances affect daytime behaviour and cognitive functions in children. These disorders make the situation worse in children who already have learning difficulties. The objective of the present study was to study the prevalence of sleep disturbances among children from special schools and carry out a comparative study with children from mainstream schools. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We use the Spanish version of the Paediatric Sleep Questionnaire, which was given out in three special schools of the Valencia Community. Results were compared with a previous study in children from mainstream schools. RESULTS: A significantly higher proportion of children in special schools had insomnia, 32.3 % against 10.5 % in main-stream school, and sleep breathing disorders, 26.8 % against 5.7 % in mainstream schools, and a lower proportion of parasomnias. Among the whole population with learning difficulties, children with cerebral palsy are the most affected. CONCLUSIONS: Our results clearly show that children with learning difficulties have a higher risk of sleep disturbances and these disturbances have repercussions on daily functioning. It is important to rule out sleep disturbances when we see children with learning difficulties.

Trastornos del sueño en niños y adolescentes con incapacidad psíquica. Análisis comparativo entre alumnos escolarizados en centros ordinarios y centros de educación especial de la Comunidad Valenciana / Sleep disturbances among children and adolescents with learning disabilities. Comparative study between students from a mainstream school and a special school in the Valencia Community (Spain)

Introducción: Las alteraciones del sueño repercuten de forma negativa sobre la conducta y la función cognitiva de la población infantil. En los niños con discapacidad estos trastornos empeoran una situación de por sí deficitaria. Es importante conocer qué alteraciones son más frecuentes en esta población. El objetivo de este trabajo es conocer la prevalencia de las alteraciones del sueño entre la población que acude a centros de educación especial, realizando un análisis comparativo con aquellos casos que acuden a centros ordinarios. Pacientes y métodos: Se utilizó la versión española del Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire, que se distribuyó entre tres centros de educación especial de la Comunidad Valenciana. Los resultados se compararon con los de un estudio previo entre estudiantes de centros ordinarios de la ciudad de Gandía. Resultados: La población que acude a centros educativos especiales presenta una mayor frecuencia de insomnio, un 32,3 frente a un 10,5 % en la población que acude a centros ordinarios, así como de trastornos respiratorios relacionados con el sueño, un 26,8 frente a un 5,7 % en la que acude a colegios ordinarios, y una menor frecuencia de parasomnias. Dentro del conjunto de personas con discapacidad, los que presentan parálisis cerebral son los más afectados. Conclusiones: Nuestros resultados demuestran de forma clara que las personas con discapacidad psíquica tienen un mayor riesgo de presentar trastornos del sueño. Se debe valorar siempre la existencia de dichos trastornos en esta población (AU)

Introduction: Sleep disturbances affect daytime behaviour and cognitive functions in children. These disorders make the situation worse in children who already have learning difficulties. The objective of the present study was to study the prevalence of sleep disturbances among children from special schools and carry out a comparative study with children from mainstream schools. Patients and methods: We use the Spanish version of the Paediatric Sleep Questionnaire, which was given out in three special schools of the Valencia Community. Results: were compared with a previous study in children from mainstream schools. Results A significantly higher proportion of children in special schools had insomnia, 32.3 % against 10.5 % in main-stream school, and sleep breathing disorders, 26.8 % against 5.7 % in mainstream schools, and a lower proportion of parasomnias. Among the whole population with learning difficulties, children with cerebral palsy are the most affected. Conclusions: Our results clearly show that children with learning difficulties have a higher risk of sleep disturbances and these disturbances have repercussions on daily functioning. It is important to rule out sleep disturbances when we see children with learning difficulties (AU)