A cohort study of the prevalence of sleep problems in adults with intellectual disabilities

Boyle, A., Melville, C.A. , Morrison, J. , Allan, L., Smiley, E., Espie, C.A. and Cooper, S.A. (2010) A cohort study of the prevalence of sleep problems in adults with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Sleep Research, 19(1), pp. 42-53. (doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2869.2009.00788.x)

Abstract

P>Previous studies of the prevalence of sleep problems in adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) are affected by small, potentially biased samples and other limitations. This study aims to determine the prevalence and associations of sleep problems in the adult population with ID. The 4-week period prevalence of sleep problems was determined in a cross-sectional study of all adults with ID in a defined geographical area. Sleep problems were identified using the Psychiatric Assessment Scale for Adults with Developmental Disabilities (PAS-ADD) checklist and categorized as initial insomnia, early morning wakening and broken sleep. A fourth, composite, variable of significant sleep problem was also derived. Of the 1023 adults with ID who participated, 9.2% had experienced a significant sleep problem, during the 1-month period. Individuals with a significant sleep problem are more likely to have mental ill-health [odds ratio (OR) = 5.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.52-8.69], problem behaviours (OR = 2.06, 95% CI: 1.25-3.41) and respiratory disease (OR = 2.03, 95% CI: 1.27-3.26). There is a positive association between visual impairment and initial insomnia (OR = 1.91, 95% CI: 1.21-3.04). Although a diagnosis of epilepsy is not associated with sleep problems, the finding that individuals taking antiepileptic medication are more likely to experience broken sleep (OR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.13-2.66) suggests that medication side effects may impact on sleep of individuals with ID. The results suggest that there is a need to further examine the relationship between sleep problems and co-morbid health problems, which would inform the development of interventions, and trials of their efficacy

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: ASSOCIATION CARE CHILDREN CHRONIC INSOMNIA Cohort COMMUNITY-BASED SAMPLE DAYTIME CHALLENGING BEHAVIOR DEPRESSION DIAGNOSIS DISEASE DISTURBANCES IMPACT Impairment INDIVIDUALS Insomnia intellectual disabilities INTERVAL INTERVENTION LIFE MENTAL ILL-HEALTH POPULATION PREVALENCE PSYCHIATRIC-DISORDERS RETARDATION SLEEP sleep problems TRIAL YOUNG-ADULTS
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Allan, Miss Lesley and Espie, Professor Colin and Morrison, Professor Jill and Cooper, Professor Sally-Ann and Smiley, Dr Elita and Melville, Professor Craig
• Authors: Boyle, A., Melville, C.A., Morrison, J., Allan, L., Smiley, E., Espie, C.A., and Cooper, S.A.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > General Practice and Primary Care; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Clinical Specialities
• Journal Name: Journal of Sleep Research
• ISSN: 0962-1105